Reporters were given a tour on Monday of a new terrorist base in Hamas-run Gaza - operated by terrorists who say they have the same goals as Al-Qaeda. The terrorists were seen engaged in active training for battle with Israel.
The tour of the terrorist base, reported in the Palestinian Authority daily Al-Hayat, gives further indication of Hamas's support for terrorist groups.
Hamas wishes to take over Judea and Samaria as well, and even issued a statement, on Monday, calling on Fatah to cede power to Hamas. A leading Hamas member is in line to replace Fatah's Mahmoud Abbas as PA Chairman four months from now. Abbas's term in office ends in January, but doubts have been raised that new elections can be held, given the current Hamas-Fatah tensions. If Abbas resigns, the next-in-line to replace him is PA parliament speaker Aziz Doueck, a Hamas member imprisoned in Israel.
The new training base is run by Army of the Nation, or Jaysh al-Ummah, which says it is not formally connected to Al-Qaeda, but shares the same goals. These goals are the institution of Islamic law in the world via jihad (holy war), the re-establishment of the Islamic khalifate in the world, and the turning of Israel into "Palestine."
The organization, sometimes known as the Dughmush, is estimated to have several dozen members in Gaza, mainly in Rafiah and Khan Younis. They wear black clothes with red and green bandanas inscribed with the words "Death group." Graffiti on the walls reads, "We are coming, Jews."
Al-Qaeda Ideology Flourishing in Gaza
Reuters reports that pro-Al Qaeda groups have raised their profiles in the Gaza Strip in the 14 months since Hamas violently took control of the area from Fatah. Army of the Nation leader Abu Hafss said that Al Qaeda's fundamentalist Islamic ideology was flourishing in the territory.
Another pro-Al-Qaeda group in Gaza, Army of Islam, is said to have been involved in the abduction of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit over two years ago.
The above two groups have been cited for the kidnapping of BBC reporter Alan Johnston in March 2007. Army of the Nation has also conducted at least one bombing of a civilian Arab target - an empty school. Though Hamas has arrested its leaders in the past, it allows the group to operate as long as it does not interfere in internal Gaza politics or daily life.