Egyptian Court Bans Palestinian Group Hamas

An Egyptian court has banned the activities of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which rules the neighboring Gaza Strip, and ordered its assets seized.

Egypt's new government has accused the Gaza-based Hamas of plotting with the country's deposed Islamist President Muhammad Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood movement to carry out violence in the country.

Hamas is an offshoot of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, which was declared a terrorist group in December.

Sami Abu Zuhri, a spokesman for Hamas, condemned the decision, saying it harmed the Palestinian cause.