Hamas has foiled an attempt by Palestinian militants to attack former U.S. president Jimmy Carter during his visit to the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian source told news agencies on Tuesday. | Paleos never seem to miss an opportunity to bite the few hands that feed them ... |
Hamas Interior Ministry spokesman Ihab al-Rassin denied the reports, however, saying the group's forces had engaged in routine activity and had no information of an assassination attempt.
Associates of the former president said they had received briefing on the matter, but would not elaborate on the matter.
Carter was in Gaza on Tuesday to meet with leaders of the ruling Hamas movement, in an effort to persuade them to adopt the international community's conditions for lifting the crippling economic blockade. The former president brought with him to Gaza a letter for abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who has been in Palestinian captivity since he was captured in a 2006 cross-border raid.