Al-Qaida In Gaza

The Jerusalem Post reports that Al-Qaida-linked terrorists are operating in Gaza.

Palestinian Authority security officials told The Jerusalem Post that Jundallah, or "Allah's Brigades," is a radical Muslim group that has close ties with al-Qaida in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq and its members are mostly of former Hamas and Islamic Jihad members:

"They believe that Hamas and Islamic Jihad have become too moderate," the official said, referring to the two groups' agreement to temporarily suspend terror attacks on Israel.

Jundallah gunmen attacked IDF soldiers earlier this week wounding four soldiers.

Abu Abdallah al-Khattab, who identifies himself as the spokesman for Jundallah in the Gaza Strip, said the group "has vowed to avenge the blood of all Palestinians and Muslims who have fallen victim to Israel and the US:"

Khattab hinted that his group was also planning to target US interests in the region. "Our people will not remain idle in the face of American crimes in Muslim countries," he said. "It is forbidden to shed the blood of Muslims and it is our duty to respond. The blood of Muslims is not cheap."

He accused the US of desecrating the Koran and killing Muslims in Iraq. "Soon everyone will see operations [against the US] that would make all the Muslims delighted," he cautioned.

I remain concerned that an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza will be seen as victory by Palestinian militants as was Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon.

I wonder if Jundallah has anything to do with Israeli army officers wanting to delay the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. Reuters reports that some top Israeli army officers want to delay withdrawal because of slow preparations and fears over the strength of Palestinian militants.

Israel is to evacuate all 21 settlements in the Gaza Strip beginning on August 15, under prime minister Ariel Sharon's disengagement plan.