Egyptian Court Overturns Naming Hamas Terror Organization

Palestinian family members ride a horse cart as they pass apartment buildings that were destroyed in the last summer's Israel-Hamas war, in the residential neighborhood of Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip, Tuesday, June 2, 2015. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)

CAIRO— Egypt’s state news agency is reporting a court has overturned a decision naming Hamas a terrorist organization.

The MENA news agency reported Saturday that the Urgent Matters Appeals Court made the decision. They cited a lack of jurisdiction for overturning the early court’s ruling.

There was no immediate government reaction.

Egypt initially declared the group a terrorist organization in February. That ruling further isolated Hamas, which once found open support under Egypt’s toppled Islamist President Mohammed Morsi. Egypt’s new government recently has begun clearing a buffer zone along its border with Gaza Strip in an attempt to destroy a cross-border network of tunnels that Hamas considers a lifeline.

There was no immediate reaction from Hamas.