Palestinian Islamist Movement - Hamas dismissed on Friday the Zionist claim that it provided support for the attacks against Egyptian soldiers in Sinai as "propaganda."

Palestinian Islamist Movement - Hamas dismissed on Friday the Zionist claim that it provided support for the attacks against Egyptian soldiers in Sinai as "propaganda."

"The occupation's (Israel) statements about Hamas helping ISIL are stupid accusations... and propaganda that aims to incite against Hamas," spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said, referring to the so-called 'Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant' takfiri group, whose fighters carried out the attacks.

"Hamas has made efforts and taken stated measures to secure the border" between the Gaza Strip, which it controls, and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, he said.

"We are intent on (preserving) Egypt's security."

The Zionist Major General Yoav Mordechai said in an interview in Arabic with Al-Jazeera television Thursday that Hamas had provided help to "groups supporting ISIL" for the attacks, claiming also that wounded terrorists had been smuggled into Gaza.

Medical and security officials said at least 70 people, mostly soldiers, were killed in Wednesday's attacks and hours of clashes, along with dozens of gunmen.