GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Hamas has so far kept silent on the election of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who overthrew the movement's ally, former President Mohammed Morsi, last July. Hamas has refrained from issuing any press statements related to the elections, for fear this might have negative repercussions on its relations with Egypt, which have been strained since last year.

A well-informed source in Hamas said the movement’s political bureau issued strict instructions to all leaders and media spokespeople within the movement not to address the election of Sisi in any interview or public meeting.

The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told Al-Monitor, “All senior officials and media spokespeople within Hamas have received a text message telling them not to give any public statements, whether to local or foreign media outlets, about the presidential elections in Egypt.

“Sisi winning the elections was a foregone conclusion and this is what happened. He was officially inaugurated as president. The decision not to talk about the elections, as it is seen as the least damaging option, came from within the institutions of Hamas."