Naturally, the Palestinian Authority and Gaza’s Hamas rulers want to discredit the notion that Osama bin Laden’s Al Qaeda terrorist network has set up shop in the territories under their control, but their claims simply are not compatible with the available evidence.
Omedia did a recent analysis showing fairly definitively that the Gaza-based Army of Islam terror group is a local Al Qaeda branch, and that it is and has for years been operating in the volatile coastal strip with the approval of first the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority and now Hamas.
In an interview on the Ilaf website (July 17, 2007), Abu Ashour, the right-hand man of Army of Islam leader Mamtuz Doghmush, said the organization “embraces the principles in which Al Qaeda believes”… He noted Al Qaeda sends money to finance the activity of the Army of Islam, as well as conveying directives for action. Ashour believes “the decision to [BBC reporter] kidnap Alan Johnston was made by Al Qaeda ‘on the outside’ and the decision to release him also arrived from ‘outside’ in order to avoid bloodshed.”
Abu Ashour also revealed the Army of Islam was established in the Gaza Strip 30 years ago. “At first the Afghans arrived in order to spread religious awareness,” he said, referring to Arab fighters who had fought in Afghanistan. “All the Afghans belonged to Al Qaeda and we called them by their noms de guerre.”
That the Army of Islam operates in Gaza with the approval and even support of the local rulers became evident last month when Hamas and the Al Qaeda-linked group worked out a mutually beneficial deal culminating in Johnston’s release.
While the Army of Islam claims to have been operating in Gaza for the past 30 years, its recent rise to prominence is evidence that any territory surrendered by Israel to the Palestinians will become a haven of global Islamic terrorism.
Hamas is already too entrenched in every area of Palestinian society, be it in Gaza or Judea and Samaria. That much is clear following Hamas’ landslide municipal and parliamentary electoral victories over the past three years. Nor has American backing proved effective is stopping Hamas’ spread and eventual takeover of areas handed to the Palestinian Authority.
If the so-called “West Bank” is given to the Palestinians, it will eventually be a Hamas stronghold, just like Gaza. And once that area is in Hamas hands, it will become a base of operations for Al Qaeda, a new headquarters from which Osama bin Laden’s ilk can plan their assault on Judeo-Christian civilization.
Hamas and all the other Palestinian terror groups have successfully convinced the world that they are not part of the global Islamic jihad, and that their violence is directed solely against the “Israeli occupation.” That is why the presence of Al Qaeda is so detrimental to their current plans. What the Palestinians are trying to hide is that they ultimately share the ideology being put into action by Al Qaeda.
The Hamas movement is well aware of the growing power of the Al Qaeda offshoot and is troubled by the fact that quite a few in the Hamas military arm and even in its leadership have begun to embrace the global outlook of Al Qaeda.
Hamas members especially are devout Muslims, and Islam teaches that they must subjugate the entire world, that all unbelievers must come under Islamic rule via military conquest. So it should be no surprise that elements within Hamas are starting to openly embrace Al Qaeda. It’s no surprise, but it should serve as a warning. These Hamas boys are just the beginning. Once the Palestinians have what they want from Israel, they will turn on their benefactors in the West.
Enjoy the article? Subscribe to our email updates
7 comments so far ↓
1 Bobbie Meaders // Aug 5, 2007 at 10:28 pm
THIS IS SO TRUE AND NO ONE WANTS TO READ IT. GOD HAS EVERY THING IN PLACE FOR HIS COMING TO CLAIM HIS BRIDE, HIS CHURCH, HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE.
GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU AND YOUR SAFE SHELTERED IN HIS ARMS.
2 Michael // Aug 5, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Can anyone finally see the “beast from the earth” called Islam? Rev. 13:11.
Islam is also the “woman” riding the scarlet beast, the beast in the sea called Satan. Isa 27:1, Rev. 12:3, 13:5, 17:3.
She is the “woman” who birthed the children of bandage by Abraham. Gen. 21:10-13 and Galatians 4:22-31.
The beast is rising people and waiting for it’s “mouth”, the false prophet. Are you watching? Do you know Jesus? Better yet, does Jesus know you as one of His?
TICK…TOCK…TICK…TOCK…….
3 Claudia // Aug 6, 2007 at 12:40 am
I pray that Jesus opens our eyes and allows us to see what we need to do to remain a nation protected by God. Otherwise we will be overcome by the enemy of this country who would change our freedom to domination of their ways. Putting us to bondage or death! They are relentless. We must be relentless in seeking the face of God for understanding and wisdom. Show us the way Lord, in Jesus name, amen.
4 Sam S. Smith // Aug 6, 2007 at 1:06 am
No, Islam is not the “beast from the earth”, that would be antichrist. No, Islam is not the “woman riding the scarlet beast”,that would be one world religion, the harlot.Ishmael was born millenia before Mohammed (570)ad, so that woman birthed nothing. Mohammed birthed Islam early 600 ad and later birthed the verse of the sword.
5 Rev. Daniel H. Shaffer, Jr. // Aug 6, 2007 at 4:06 am
Why doesn’t Isreal stut off thw water & electricity to Gaza. Why not just take back control of the Boarder between Egypt & Gaza too.
6 Marsha Carol Watson // Aug 6, 2007 at 7:29 am
I am still in shock from Ariel Sharon giving us Gaza in the first place. I just can’t imagine him of all people doing that! And, look what it cost him…….
I can’t begin to imagine Olmert playing along with Anyone who keeps trying to “entice” him to give us Israel’s land. Surely he can look at Ariel Sharon and his outcome and see himself heading in the same direction….
Rev. Shaeffer, if Israel can shut off water and electricity in Gaza and it will help to stop their enemies….I am all for it. I guess most of us have not even thought of that angle.
Ryan, thanks for keeping us informed as to current developments.
7 Michael // Aug 6, 2007 at 2:31 pm
Sam S. Smith ;
Since you seem so convinced perhaps you have some Biblical evidence to support what you say as I have shown just some of the verses that lead directly to the seed of Ishmael by Hagar.
Esau married Ishmael’s daughter Mahalath and carried on the bloodline. Galatians 4:25 clearly states Hagar is Mt. Sinai (under the law) in Arabia. Isn’t it just a bit curious that Esau and all his seed were sent east to Arabia and that is porecisely where Islam was birthed?
Is it not a little suspect that Islam embodied in two “horns” one being Shi’ite the other Sun’ni, is the only entity on this earth that claims lineage to Abraham and yet claims all of Israel’s promised land from God is their’s?
Islam is also seen as mount Seir, the place Esau settled, in Ezekiel 35 and in particular in verse 10;
Because thou hast said, These two nations and these two countries shall be mine, and we will possess it; whereas the LORD was there:
Again, for the sake of clarity perhaps you could explain with Biblical reference just how you are so certain? If what I say disagrees with what you believe, simple Biblical reference would settle the issue.
BTW, are you a Muslim Sam?
In Christ Jesus,
Michael
Leave a Comment