Palestinian Interior Ministry on Tuesday denied statements by Israeli chief of army intelligence that 10 al-Qaida members infiltrated into the Gaza Strip through Sinai.

The ministry spokesman, Tawfik Abu Khousa, told reporters that such claims are a part of the Israeli media campaign that coincides with every visit of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to Washington.

Abu Khousa asserted that it is an Israeli effort made to fail Abbas visit to Washington and aims to increase the international pressure imposed on the Palestinian National Authority (PNA).

He clarified that Israel seeks to divert the international attention away from the Israeli occupation practices on the Palestinian territories.

He added that the Palestinian security apparatuses asserted that no members of al-Qaida managed to enter the Gaza Strip, adding that Israel has ever taken back similar statements during the groundless news around this issue prevailed in the past years.

Abu Khousa also referred the arm shortage among the security apparatuses as the Palestinian security and police spend all efforts to reach security stability.

He said that Israel refused to let the PNA security apparatuses to be supplied with arms, when some countries intended to offer the PNA help on the issue of rearmament.

Source: Xinhua