[Ha'aretz] Amos Harel - Dozens of Islamic terrorists have entered Gaza over the past year and are operating there in the framework of organizations identified with the "global jihad." Many of the terrorists have taken part in the fighting against American forces in Iraq. The flow of foreign terrorists to Gaza will gradually increase, Israeli defense officials forecast, as the friction with U.S. forces in Iraq diminishes. Hamas is finding it difficult to rein in the newer groups identified with al-Qaeda. The quiet since the IDF's Gaza operation has increased the number of those deserting Hamas in favor of global jihad. Hamas is interested in a long time-out, say defense officials, in order to rebuild its military capabilities and strengthen its control of Gaza. Hamas continues to send out dozens of fighters via Egypt for military training in foreign countries, particularly in Iran and Lebanon.
2009-08-11 06:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive