Al Qaeda terrorists' presence in Gaza, which Israel dismissed two years ago as far-fetched, is beginning to make inroads on the Hamas terrorist party, Reuters News Agency reported on Monday.

Palestinian Authority (PA) Interior Minister Khaled Abu Hilal said he does not think there is a direct link between Gaza-based terrorists and Al Qaeda, but security sources said the international network has sent operatives into the area. He added that they have not reached the stage where they can communicate with leaders or direct terrorist attacks.

"The presence of Al Qaeda in Palestine would hurt Hamas because such groups would try to attract Hamas followers, not those of secular factions," political analyst Hani Habib said.