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In a televised address on August 21, aired on Al-Aqsa TV, a masked spokesman for the Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades vowed that they would "not stand idly by" following the seizure of four of their militants in the Sinai on August 19, 2015. TV host Dina Ramez of the Egyptian Sada Al-Balad TV channel responded on August 23 by calling them "cockroaches" who should be "sprayed or else squashed with a slipper," and a day later, another Egyptian TV host, Riham No'man, said on Al-Assema TV that Egypt should strike Hamas.
Following are excerpts
Al-Aqsa TV [Hamas-Gaza] August 21, 2015
Hamas spokesman: On the anniversary of [the 2014 war], we declare that the Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades will not stand idly by, in light of what happened to our sons [who were arrested] in Sinai. We will maintain our silence and not say much about this. But the Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades have taught the world that its actions speak louder than words. When the time is right, everyone will learn that we knew what we are talking about. Let us stress that the matter, down to the most minute detail, is being dealt with by the leadership of the Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades.
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Sada Al-Balad TV [Egypt] August 23, 2015
Egyptian TV host Dina Ramez: I have a question for you: Has anyone ever heard of cockroaches threatening lions, or of an ant threatening an elephant? These cockroaches – because this is what we consider them to be – are Hamas, who challenged us and threatened Egypt, after four of its members disappeared in Sinai. First of all, let's ask these cockroaches a simple question, which does not require intelligence. What were these four men doing in Sinai?
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If you merely think about marching upon the Egyptian borders… We have faith in our army – it knows no borders. We are confident that the response will be a painful one in a very sensitive place. This response will deter any cockroach that dares to even think of coming near an inch of Egyptian soil. Cockroaches should be sprayed or else squashed with a slipper.
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Al-Assema TV [Egypt] August 24, 2015
Egyptian TV host Riham No'man: Let me direct another appeal to President Abd Al-Fattah Al-Sisi. Submit the evidence that that Egypt has to the U.N. Security Council. If they agree, we will strike [Hamas], and even if they do not, we will strike them. Is it conceivable that this terrorist entity will threaten us every other day? Moreover, I say to that despicable dog – I am calling him a dog – who stood before the microphones with his face covered and threatened us: If you are a real man, reveal your face. My dear sir, this is a country, a country, man. Its leaders are well known. The face of the Minister of Defense is well known. The face of the Minister of the Interior is well known. Its security personnel are well known. Here, our faces are exposed and well known to all. You have your face covered. Be a real man, and reveal your face, so that we can see what you look like.
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