'There are Thousands of Al Qaeda Fighters in Gaza'
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A terror leader in the Gaza Strip on Sunday claimed that there are thousands of fighters either directly linked to or inspired by Al Qaeda operating in the Hamas-ruled coastal enclave.
“We are six groups and we have thousands of fighters, maybe 4,000,” Abu Bakir al-Ansari told the Associated Press, explaining that in 2012, the various Salafi groups situated in Gaza decided to form an alliance.
According to al-Ansari, the Al Qaeda-linked conglomeration is a threat to both Israel and Hamas, which it rejects for participating in the Palestinian Authority elections and for tacitly taking part in the Israeli-Arab peace process.
For the time being, the terror leader said that the Salafist groups are honoring a Hamas-imposed ceasefire with Israel, but remain ready to attack the Jewish state at any moment, without first consulting Hamas.
If the figures provided by al-Ansari are correct, and if the Salafist groups are well equipped, they could potentially pose a real threat to Hamas control over the Gaza Strip. So long as the two groups remain focused on the common enemy of Israel, they are likely to tolerate one another.
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“We are six groups and we have thousands of fighters, maybe 4,000,” Abu Bakir al-Ansari told the Associated Press, explaining that in 2012, the various Salafi groups situated in Gaza decided to form an alliance.
According to al-Ansari, the Al Qaeda-linked conglomeration is a threat to both Israel and Hamas, which it rejects for participating in the Palestinian Authority elections and for tacitly taking part in the Israeli-Arab peace process.
For the time being, the terror leader said that the Salafist groups are honoring a Hamas-imposed ceasefire with Israel, but remain ready to attack the Jewish state at any moment, without first consulting Hamas.
If the figures provided by al-Ansari are correct, and if the Salafist groups are well equipped, they could potentially pose a real threat to Hamas control over the Gaza Strip. So long as the two groups remain focused on the common enemy of Israel, they are likely to tolerate one another.
Want more news from Israel?
Click Here to sign up for our FREE daily email updates from ISRAEL TODAY
Click Here to sign up for our FREE daily email updates from ISRAEL TODAY
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Charlotte, NC USA