Daily Alert Archives

ISIS Comes to Gaza

(Gatestone Institute) Khaled Abu Toameh - There are growing signs that Hamas in Gaza is continuing to cooperate with other jihadi terror groups affiliated with Islamic State, especially those operating in the Egyptian Sinai peninsula. This cooperation, according to Palestinian Authority security sources, is the main reason behind the ongoing tension between Egypt and Hamas. Egyptian security officials are convinced that Hamas is not serious about preventing jihadi terrorists from crossing the border in either direction. Moreover, the Egyptians suspect that Hamas maintains close relations with some ISIS-affiliated groups in Sinai, and is providing them with weapons and medical treatment. Egyptian President al-Sissi's regime views Gaza as a major base for various jihadi terror groups that pose a real threat to Egypt's national security. Indeed, an increasing number of members of Hamas' armed wing, Ezaddin al-Qassam, have in recent years fled Gaza to join ISIS in Sinai, Syria and Iraq. Those who have not been able to flee are joining jihadi groups operating inside Gaza. At least seven Hamas-affiliated Palestinians have been killed while fighting alongside ISIS in Iraq and Syria in recent months, according to sources in Gaza.
2016-07-12 00:00:00
Full Article