BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) – The ceasefire agreement signed Wednesday with Israel did not include a commitment by Egypt to prevent smuggling of arms into the Gaza Strip, a senior Hamas leader said.

Izzat al-Rishiq wrote on his Facebook page Saturday that “it is not true, as some claim, that the agreement included that Egypt will work with special US units to prevent smuggling of weapons into Gaza.”

He added: “These are Israeli rumors aimed to ease the impact of defeat.”

Al-Rishiq was referring to reports in Israeli and Western media that Israel secured a commitment from the US to help stop weapons smuggling into Gaza.

In the text of the agreement circulated last week to reporters in Cairo, clauses include an end to hostilities from both sides but there is no mention of arms smuggling.