Egypt denies citizenship to Hamas negotiator's daughter

Egypt’s Interior Ministry denied a citizenship application from Asmaa Hamad, the daughter of a senior Hamas political figure. The ministry issued an official decree rejecting the bid on security grounds. The document appeared in the Official Gazette earlier this week.

Asmaa Hamad filed the application while residing in Egypt. She has since moved to Qatar with her husband. Egyptian media reports confirm her current location. A source close to the family told Al-Manassa that the decision was surprising. That source noted that three of Asmaa’s siblings already hold Egyptian citizenship through their mother.

The rejection relies on specific legal provisions. Ministerial Decree No. 1630 of 2026 cites Article 3, Paragraph 2, of Law No. 154 of 2004. This law amends Egypt’s Nationality Law No. 26 of 1975. Article 3 grants rights to individuals born to an Egyptian mother and a non-Egyptian father before 2004. Asmaa Hamad was born in 1989, placing her under this provision. The law allows the ministry to reject an application within one year of submission.

Her father, Ghazi Hamad, holds a prominent role in Hamas. He previously oversaw Gaza’s border crossings and served as a spokesperson for the group. The US Treasury Department sanctioned him in November 2024. The agency cited his position and role in supporting fundraising and weapons smuggling. Hamad became a public figure during the Israel-Hamas war that began after the October 7, 2023, attack. He currently resides in Doha and participated in hostage and ceasefire negotiations.

The Egyptian Embassy in Tel Aviv did not respond to requests for comment.