Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Al-Qaeda in Gaza. The proof.


An unknown Palestinian militant group announced Tuesday it was an off-shoot of the terror network al-Qaeda.

In leaflets telefaxed to reporters and pasted on street corners in Gaza City, the 'al-Quds (Jerusalem) Islamic Army' said that, like its parent organization, it would target 'the crusaders and every enemy of Islam and Muslims and their collaborators.'

'We will blow up our bodies in their positions' and 'strike with an iron fist at all the crusader, American and Zionist campaigns,'
said the statement, adding the group adhered to the principles of al-Qaeda leaders Sheikh Osama Bin Laden, Ayman al-Zawahri and Musab al-Zarqawi.

It was the first such leaflet signed by al-Qaeda in Gaza and openly announcing the formation of an al-Qaeda wing in the Palestinian territories.

The leaflets were the latest sign al-Qaida has infiltrated the Gaza Strip and is seeking to carry out large-scale operations inside Israel.