may 2010 . Vol 3 . Issue 5 closure because figures central to the Hizb-ut-Tahrir) is an example of this network’s functioning have sought safe Salafi-Jihadi Activism in non-violent Salafist trend, advocating haven in Pakistan. Gaza: Mapping the Threat the establishment of an Islamic caliphate in Palestine while politically opposing Many in India’s intelligence services By Benedetta Berti the Hamas government.3 fear that the recent bombings in Pune in February 2010, Bangalore in April in june 2007, Hamas took control of Violent Salafist groups, on the other 2010, as well as the abortive attack the Gaza Strip. Since then, numerous hand, only developed in the Palestinian in Deloitte in Hyderabad in May 2010 reports have surfaced about Salafi- Territories in the past few years. These herald the coming of a renewed wave of jihadi and al-Qa`ida activity in the groups are focused on armed jihad jihadist violence intended to undermine Palestinian Territories. Despite and are globally referred to as Salafi- the country’s economic progress and these reports, there is relatively little jihadis—this marks their distinction status in the run-up to the high-profile information on the Palestinian Salafist with non-violent Salafist groups. They Commonwealth Games, which will be community and its connection with mushroomed in the months leading held in New Delhi in October 2010. Hamas and the international Salafi- up to and following the 2005 Israeli Whether or not Riyaz Shahbandri’s jihadi movement. This article provides withdrawal from Gaza, and their so-called Karachi Project is a new an overview of the characteristics of the presence additionally increased in endeavor or simply a name for ongoing Salafi-jihadi movement in Gaza, and it the midst of the internecine struggle jihadist activity directed at India, maps the existing groups that pursue between Hamas and Fatah before the country clearly faces a growing this militant ideology in the Palestinian Hamas’ eventual takeover of Gaza in problem from Indian Muslims who Territories. 2007.4 In conjunction with a process have become radicalized and are able of fragmentation within Palestinian to seek assistance from Pakistan-based The article finds that the Salafi-jihadi society, new Salafist-inspired groups militants. network in the Gaza Strip is largely a local were created both to challenge the phenomenon and it has thus far lacked internal distribution of power between Praveen Swami is Associate Editor of the concrete organizational and operational Fatah and Hamas and to advocate Hindu, one of India’s largest English- links with al-Qa`ida or other international for stronger links between the language newspapers, and reports on jihadist groups. Nevertheless, the network predominantly nationalist or statist terrorism and low intensity conflicts in admires al-Qa`ida’s modus operandi, is Palestinian cause and the international India. His most recent book, India, Pakistan ideologically aligned with al-Qa`ida, jihadist network. These groups initially and the Secret Jihad: The Covert War in and in the past has attempted to strike emerged in Gaza and gained strength Jammu and Kashmir, 1947-2002, was foreign targets in Gaza.1 These worrying because of the temporary situation published by Routledge in 2007. The book factors demonstrate the importance of of anarchy and the vacuum of power was written while he was a Jennings Randolph monitoring Salafi-jihadi activity in the created by the struggle between Hamas senior fellow at the United States Institute of Palestinian Territories. and Fatah. They were, however, able Peace in Washington, D.C., in 2004-2005. to gain legitimacy due to the ongoing His scholarly work includes a 1999 book, Defining the Salafi-Jihadi Movement: process of decaying secularism within The Kargil War, chapters in several edited A General Framework Palestinian society and the rise of volumes, and papers in journals including Salafism, an Islamist revivalist Islamist political forces—a trend that is The India Review and Faultlines. Mr. movement within Sunni Islam, is not tightly connected with a wider regional Swami has won several major awards for his an entirely new phenomenon in Gaza. dynamic.5 Despite this phenomenon, work, including the Indian Express-Ramnath Non-violent Salafist organizations, the rise of Salafi-jihadi groups has Goenka Print Journalist of the Year prize, focused on social work and proselytism, occurred predominantly in Gaza, as the 2006. first emerged in the early 1980s under Fatah-controlled West Bank has mostly the guidance of clerics such as Shaykh managed to contain the rise of new Salim Sharab. Many of these clerics Islamist groups while cracking down on studied in Saudi Arabia before returning more established actors such as Hamas. home to the Palestinian Territories. The movement continued to grow during the 3 Reuven Paz, “Salafi-Jihadi Responses to Hamas’ Elec- 1990s, but never became a mainstream toral Victory,” Current Trends in Islamist Ideology 4, No- faction within the Palestinian political vember 1, 2006. 2 arena. Hizb al-Tahrir (also known as 4 For some of the first reports, see Khaled Abu Toameh, “Al-Qaida-Linked Terrorists in Gaza,” Jerusalem Post, 1 See, for example, the July 2008 interview between February 6, 2005; “Al-Qa’idah Claims Attack on Pales- Salafi-jihadi activist Abu Mustafa and Der Spiegel. On tinian Official,” al-Arabiya, May 21, 2006; Khaled Abu that occasion, Mustafa stated: “We have to fight—just Toameh, “Al-Qaida in Palestine Issues Death Threat like our brothers on Sept. 11…We feel just like al-Qaida Against Abbas. PA Foils Attempt To Kill Fatah Security and we think as they do.” For the interview, see Ulrike Chief,” Jerusalem Post, May 22, 2006. Putz, “Compared to Us, Hamas is Islamism Lite,” Der 5 Asher Susser, “The Rise of Hamas in Palestine and the Spiegel, July 18, 2008. Crisis of Secularism in the Arab World,” Crown Center 2 Hasan Jabr, “Al-Ayyam Opens File on Salafi Groups in for Middle East Studies, Brandeis University, February The Gaza Strip,” al-Ayyam, May 17, 2007. 2010, pp. 1, 45-46.

5 may 2010 . Vol 3 . Issue 5

Since then, the number of Salafi- approximately 4,000-5,000 members,7 mix of religious and clan politics, and jihadi groups operating in Gaza has although its alleged followers could be with the intent of emphasizing its multiplied, generating a myriad of as many as 50,000 people.8 Despite capacity to prevent Hamas from ruling small organizations and operational reports from the Palestinian Authority Gaza, Jaysh al-Islam kidnapped BBC cells whose main focus has been both claiming the contrary, the movement correspondent Alan Johnston and held attacking Israel as well as attempting to appears to be overwhelmingly him for more than four months until “Islamize” Palestinian society by force. Palestinian. Nevertheless, in the past Hamas was finally able to ensure his Although these groups may share with couple of years a few dozen foreign Hamas an interest in conducting jihad militants, some of them returnees from “The Salafi-jihadi against Israel and a focus on Islamizing Iraq, are believed to have entered the Palestinian society, the differences Gaza Strip through Egypt to join the movement within Gaza has between the new Salafi-jihadi factions local jihadist movement.9 been growing since 2006, and the more established Palestinian political actors could not be more Mapping the Threat and it now constitutes a pronounced. Jaysh al-Islam loose network of mostly One of the first Salafi-jihadi groups to First, the Salafi-jihadi groups do not emerge in the Gaza Strip is the Army Palestinian fighters define the “resistance” against Israel of Islam (Jaysh al-Islam), which gained who have adopted an in nationalist terms—as compared with international notoriety by participating, Fatah or Hamas—and they instead together with Hamas’ Qassam Brigades international jihadist insist on the transnational dimension and the Salah al-Din Brigades, in the approach to the previously of the Palestinian jihad, making their kidnapping of Israeli Defense Force rhetoric far closer to al-Qa`ida than to (IDF) soldier Gilad Shalit in June more statist Palestinian other Palestinian armed and political 2006.10 In the wake of the kidnapping, struggle.” groups. Second, the Salafi-jihadi forces the group, using an al-Qa`ida-affiliated are determined to Islamize Palestinian online forum, introduced itself as society and to implement Shari`a law a Palestinian jihadist organization by employing all available means, waging a religious war on Israel.11 A few release.14 Although the kidnapping including force; this approach radically weeks later, Jaysh al-Islam conducted was likely organized to embarrass and differs from both Fatah’s secular another major operation by kidnapping challenge Hamas, the group revealed agenda as well as from Hamas’ more Fox News journalist Steve Centanni and its international jihadist orientation gradual approach to the issue. Third, cameraman Olaf Wiig.12 by linking Johnston’s freedom with these groups are completely opposed to the release of an al-Qa`ida cleric held political participation in non-Shari`a Jaysh al-Islam, created by former in the United Kingdom, Abu Qatada. based political systems (such as the Popular Resistance Committee member This stressed the group’s ideological Palestinian one)—another commonality Mumtaz Dughmush and linked to the proximity with al-Qa`ida.15 between these groups’ worldview and powerful Dughmush clan in Gaza, the vision of international jihadist became increasingly hostile to Hamas In the aftermath of the “Johnston Affair,” organizations such as al-Qa`ida. As a in the months preceding Hamas’ Hamas cracked down on Jaysh al-Islam’s result, the Salafi-jihadi groups in Gaza takeover of the Strip in 2007. During activities, significantly reducing the are highly critical of Hamas’ decision this period, Jaysh al-Islam began to group’s size and importance. Yet Jaysh to participate in the 2006 Palestinian openly challenge Hamas’ authority, al-Islam continued to conduct internal elections, and since then they have leading to armed clashes between the attacks against “corrupt” businesses opposed the Hamas government. More two organizations.13 Motivated by a in Gaza (including international co- recently, these groups have become ed schools), and on several occasions 16 even more confrontational with respect Including Hamas,” al-Sharq al-Awsat, August 16, 2009. targeted the local Christian community. to Hamas, albeit lacking the strength to 7 Daniel Williams, “Salafism: A New Threat to Hamas,” In February 2008, for example, the militarily challenge the organization. New York Times, October 29, 2009. group claimed responsibility for 8 Jonathan Spyer, “Al-Qaida-Style Islamism Comes attacking the YMCA building in Gaza The Salafi-jihadi network in Gaza to Gaza. Millions of Petrodollars are Flowing in Every is predominantly composed of self- Month to Fund Islamist Extremists,” Jerusalem Post, Au- radicalized Palestinians as well gust 20, 2009. Hamas.” as disenchanted Fatah and Hamas 9 Amos Harel, “Terrorists Who Fought U.S. in Iraq 14 Ibid. 6 militants. The network consists of Make Way to Gaza,” Haaretz, August 11, 2009; “Ruling 15 Donald Macintyre, “Tape Provides First Evidence Palestine I: Gaza Under Hamas,” p. 26. That BBC Reporter Was Taken,” Independent, May 10, 6 “Ruling Palestine I: Gaza Under Hamas,” Interna- 10 Michael Slackman and Souad Mekhennet, “A New 2007. tional Crisis Group, March 19, 2008, p. 25; Khaled Abu Group That Seems to Share Al Qaeda’s Agenda,” New 16 “Ruling Palestine I: Gaza Under Hamas,” pp. 25-27; Toameh, “Jund Ansar Allah Group Was Armed by Fatah York Times, July 8, 2006. “Unidentified Gunmen Attack American School in Bayt Operatives, Hamas Claims. Radicals Were Latest In Gaza 11 Ibid. Lahiyah,” Ma’an News Agency, January 12, 2008; Josh- To Seek Imposition Of Islamic Law,” Jerusalem Post, Au- 12 Ibid. ua Mitnic, “Gaza Christians in Peril After Takeover By gust 16, 2009; Kifah Zibun, “The Salafi Groups in Gaza 13 Zibun, “The Salafi Groups in Gaza Are Close to Hamas; Attacks Against Churches Trigger Concern,” Are Close to Al-Qa’idah, and Have Split from Factions Al-Qa’idah, and Have Split from Factions Including Washington Times, June 27, 2007.

6 may 2010 . Vol 3 . Issue 5 and temporarily abducting its guards.17 the group has repeatedly threatened group’s ideological proximity with al- While recurrently clashing with Hamas, the Gaza-based Christian community. Qa`ida, a link confirmed by Abu Hafs the organization remains active, and In 2006, for example, it announced its during several public appearances.29 in 2009 it was reportedly involved in intention to blow up local churches in On one occasion, he stated: “For us Al- training Egyptian jihadists of the “al- response to the publication in Denmark Qa’idah, Fatah al-Islam, and all those Zeitun cell,” an al-Qa`ida-inspired of political cartoons depicting the who believe in the Salafist creed are the group that was planning to assassinate Prophet Muhammad.22 Finally, Suyuf al- same,” while however ensuring that the Shalom Cohen, the Israeli ambassador Haq has been involved in assassinating group holds no operational contacts with to Egypt.18 its political enemies and is charged with the international jihadist network.30 killing senior Palestinian intelligence During a separate interview, Abu Hafs Suyuf al-Haq officer Colonel Jed Tayya in 2007, who A “veteran” Salafi-jihadi group in Gaza the organization accused of being a is Swords of Righteousness (Suyuf al- Mossad agent.23 “The Salafi-jihadi groups Haq). The group’s operations in Gaza in Gaza are highly critical date before Hamas’ takeover of the Jaysh al-Umma Strip in 2007. Suyuf al-Haq is primarily Another major jihadist organization is of Hamas’ decision to concentrated in the Beit Hanoun area the Army of the Nation­ (Jaysh al-Umma), participate in the 2006 of northern Gaza. It is supposedly led operational since June 2007 when it by former Hamas cleric Abu Suheib first took responsibility for firing three Palestinian elections, al-Maqdisi, who left Hamas to protest rockets from Gaza into southern Israel.24 and since then they have its decision to take part in the 2006 The organization, led by Abu Hafs al- Palestinian legislative elections.19 Since Maqdisi,25 has since focused mostly on opposed the Hamas 2006, Suyuf al-Haq has been mostly firing rockets, detonating explosives, government.” involved in internal attacks within and firing shells at Israel,26 while Gaza, aimed at changing the mores of largely avoiding claiming responsibility Palestinian society and at “implementing for attacks against internal Palestinian God’s shari’ah and…to eradicate all targets.27 At the same time, Jaysh al- also clarified the group’s oppositional forms of corruption.”20 For example, Umma demonstrated its interest in stance with respect to Hamas, by Suyuf al-Haq has been responsible for international targets during its first stating: “We believe that Hamas does bombings against Gaza’s internet cafes press conference in January 2008, not implement the rule of God on earth, and music shops, attacks at the al- when it announced its intention to and does not implement or enforce any Arabiya media facilities in Gaza, as well assassinate U.S. President George W. ruling of the Islamic Shariah.”31 as for kidnappings and attacks against Bush during a forthcoming trip to the people involved in activities deemed region.28 This declaration stressed the While Hamas at first tolerated Jaysh as “immoral”—ranging from throwing al-Umma’s activities against Israel, it sulfuric acid at a woman dressed eventually changed its position and “provocatively” to attacking a young Group Threatens Internet Cafes in Gaza Strip,” al-Ayyam, reacted to the increased activism and 21 man listening to music. Moreover, September 2, 2006. animosity by temporarily arresting 32 22 “Islamist Group Claims Attack on Gaza Al-Arabiya Jaysh al-Umma’s leader, Abu Hafs. 17 “YMCA Library Building in Gaza City Blown Up: Office.” Since then, the two groups have been Another Incident in a Series of Attacks on Western and 23 Ali Waked, “Al-Qaeda Affiliate Burns Coffee Shop in reciprocally hostile, with Jaysh al- Christian Targets in the Gaza Strip by Groups Associat- Gaza Strip,” YNetNews, October 10, 2006. Umma defying Hamas’ calls to preserve 33 ed With the Global Jihad and Radical Islam. The Hamas 24 “New Organization Dubbed ‘Army of the Nation’ a cease-fire with Israel, and with Movement, Which Controls the Gaza Strip, Does Not Put Claims Firing 3 Rockets at Sederot,” Ramattan News Hamas periodically arresting the an End to the Phenomenon. Attacks on Western Targets Agency, June 9, 2007. in the Gaza Strip: Burned Down School Buses Belong- 25 “Al-Ayyam Interviews One of its Leading Figures in 29 Ibid.; “Al-Ayyam Interviews One of its Leading Fig- ing to the American International School,” Intelligence the Gaza Strip: Is Jaysh Al-Ummah the Palestinian Ver- ures in the Gaza Strip: Is Jaysh Al-Ummah the Palestin- and Terrorism Information Center, February 28, 2008; sion of Al-Qa’idah Organization?” al-Ayyam, January 12, ian Version of Al-Qa’idah Organization?”; “Al-Arabiya “Unknown Assailants Blow up Christian Youth Organi- 2008. TV Airs Footage Of Al-Qa’idah-Affiliated Jaysh Al-Um- zation Library in Gaza,” Ma’an News Agency, February 26 See, for example: “IDF Troops Kill Palestinian Youth mah In Gaza,” BBC Monitoring Middle East, September 15, 2008; Khaled Abu Toameh, “Gunmen Destroy Gaza in West Bank, Two New Militant Groups Emerge,” 3, 2008. Strip’s YMCA Library, Kidnap Guards,” Jerusalem Post, Ma’an News Agency, September 17, 2007; “The Jaysh al- 30 “Al-Ayyam Interviews One of its Leading Figures in February 17, 2008. Ummah [Army of the Nation] Brigades Claimed Respon- the Gaza Strip: Is Jaysh Al-Ummah the Palestinian Ver- 18 Yoram Cohen, Matthew Levitt and Becca Wasser, sibility for Firing a Qa’qa Rocket,” Ma’an News Agency, sion of Al-Qa’idah Organization?” “Deterred but Determined: Salafi-Jihadi Groups in the January 12, 2008; “Jaysh al-Ummah Claims Responsibil- 31 “Al-Arabiya TV Airs Footage Of Al-Qa’idah-Affiliat- Palestinian Arena,” The Washington Institute for Near ity for Sniping Two Israeli Farmers East of Al-Qararah,” ed Jaysh Al-Ummah In Gaza.” East Policy, January 2010. Ramattan News Agency, April 4, 2008. 32 “Jaysh al-Ummah: We Seek Abu-Hafs’s Release 19 “Ruling Palestine I: Gaza Under Hamas,” p. 25. 27 “Al-Ayyam Interviews One of its Leading Figures in Through Peaceful Negotiations with Hamas,” SAMA 20 Jabr, “Al-Ayyam Opens File on Salafi Groups in the the Gaza Strip: Is Jaysh Al-Ummah the Palestinian Ver- News Agency, September 9, 2008. Gaza Strip.” sion of Al-Qa’idah Organization?” 33 “News of the Terrorism and Israeli-Palestinian Con- 21 “Islamist Group Claims Attack on Gaza Al-Arabiya 28 “Palestinian Group Threatens to Kill US President – flict,” Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, Office,” Ma’an News Agency, January 25, 2007; “Salafi Details,” Ma’an News Agency, January 8, 2008. November 11-28, 2008.

7 may 2010 . Vol 3 . Issue 5 group’s militants and leaders.34 To date, The group suffered a serious blow on they visited Gaza.49 Within Gaza, Jaljalat however, there has not been a major that occasion, and since then it has has attacked local internet cafes, and it open armed clash between the two maintained a relatively low profile, has claimed responsibility both for the organizations. although it continues to recruit new bombing of the house of Marwan Abu members.42 Recently, in October 2009 Ras, a Hamas member of the Palestinian Jund Ansar Allah and March 2010, Jund Ansar Allah Legislative Council,50 as well as for Another group, the Army of Allah’s resurfaced and claimed responsibility the bombings against Hamas’ security Supporters (Jund Ansar Allah), emerged for rocket attacks against Israel.43 buildings in August 2009 following in Rafah at the end of 2008 and was the group’s crackdown on Salafists in founded by Syrian-born Abu Abdallah Jaljalat Rafah.51 al-Muhajir (Abu Abdallah al-Suri).35 Finally, another important Salafi-jihadi The organization, whose size was network is the so-called Jaljalat (or Ansar Recently, Hamas launched a massive originally estimated at approximately al-Sunna), a loosely-structured group operation to arrest Jaljalat leader 500 men, operates mostly in the cities composed largely of former and current Talib, who was previously arrested of Khan Yunis and Rafah in Gaza.36 Hamas militants.44 Its military cadre but escaped from custody in December According to Israeli security officials, is estimated at around 700 fighters.45 2009.52 The operation ended with the its composition includes former Hamas The group is led by Mahmud Talib, a imprisonment of Talib in March 2010, and Fatah members,37 as well as a few former leader within Hamas’ military weakening—albeit not destroying—the Egyptians, Yemenis, Pakistanis, and wing, and it first became operational group’s operational capabilities.53 Afghan militants.38 The group’s main in 2006 in response to Hamas’ operational focus has been striking “moderate” stance and its participation Fatah al-Islam Israel, and its actions include a failed in the Palestinian elections.46 Talib has More controversial are reports related attack against the Nahal Oz fuel terminal declared Jaljalat’s intention to officially to the presence of Fatah al-Islam cells station and IDF soldiers based there.39 pledge its allegiance to al-Qa`ida in the in Gaza. The group, active in Lebanon course of a future terrorist operation, since 2006 and concentrated in the Jund Ansar Allah’s activism has been and reiterated its current ideological Nahr al-Bared refugee camp, gained substantially curbed since August 2009 proximity with Usama bin Ladin’s notoriety in May 2007 when it engaged when it violently clashed with Hamas, group.47 In the past, the group has in a prolonged and bloody confrontation resulting in more than 22 casualties. On targeted Israel, other Palestinians, with the Lebanese Army, a fight that that occasion, one of the organization’s as well as international targets.48 For claimed more than 400 lives—resulting leaders and imam of the Ibn Taymiyya example, Jaljalat is held responsible for in one of the worst episodes of internal Mosque in Rafah, `Abd al-Latif Musa, attempting to assassinate both former violence since the end of Lebanon’s announced a rebellion against Hamas U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former civil war.54 As early as December and the creation of an “Islamic Emirate” British Prime Minister Tony Blair when 2007, sources within the Palestinian in Rafah.40 This prompted Hamas to Authority affirmed that Fatah al-Islam intervene militarily and to kill both militants had infiltrated Gaza, where they had allegedly been involved in the Abd al-Latif Musa as well as the group’s Rafah Calm,” al-Arabiya, August 15, 2009. 41 launching of rockets against southern military leader, Abu Abdallah al-Suri. 42 Nidal al-Mughrabi, “Qaeda Ally In Gaza Defiant, See- Israel.55 There have not been additional ing New Recruits,” Reuters, September 16, 2009. facts to substantiate these allegations, 34 “Gaza Armed Group Says Hamas Arrested Seven 43 “Gaza Salafi Groups Claim Firing Two ‘Projectiles’ At Fighters,” Ma’an News Agency, May 26, 2009. Israel Agency,” Ma’an News Agency, October 2, 2009; 35 Fathi Sabbah, “Gaza, a ‘Suitable Greenhouse’ for the Fares Akram and Isabel Kershner, “Friday Rocket From 49 Zibun, “The Salafi Groups in Gaza Are Close to ‘Takfiri Groups,’”al-Hayat , August 16, 2009. Gaza Kills Thai Worker In Israel; Attack By Jihadist Al-Qa’idah, and Have Split from Factions Including 36 Ibid.; Hassan Jabr, “Jund Ansar Allah: New Salafi Group Comes As E.U. Foreign Policy Chief Visits Re- Hamas.” Organization Appears in Southern Part of Gaza Strip,” gion,” International Herald Tribune, March 19, 2010. 50 Jabr, “’Jaljalat’ is Waiting to Carry out a Big Operation al-Ayyam, January 5, 2009. 44 Hasan Jabr, “‘Jaljalat’ is Waiting to Carry out a Big in Order to Dedicate it to Bin-Ladin.” 37 Toameh, “Jund Ansar Allah Group Was Armed By Operation in Order to Dedicate it to Bin-Ladin,” al- 51 Kifah Zibun, “Salafi Jihadi Movement Leader and Fatah Operatives, Hamas Claims. Radicals Were Latest Ayyam, July 11, 2009. former leading member of Al-Qassam Brigades: We In Gaza To Seek Imposition Of Islamic Law.” 45 Jonathan Spyer, “Al-Qaida-Style Islamism Comes to Will Take revenge on Hamas; Islamic Emirate Will Be 38 Zibun, “The Salafi Groups in Gaza Are Close to Gaza,” Jerusalem Post, April 19, 2009; Jonathan Spyer, Achieved,” al-Sharq al-Awsat, September 25, 2009. Al-Qa’idah, and Have Split from Factions Including “New Fundamentalist Movements on the Rise In Gaza. 52 “Salafi Group: Leader Escapes Gaza Jail,” Ma’an News Hamas.” See also Cohen et al. Salafi Groups Find Support Among Hamas Militants,” Agency, December 25, 2009. 39 “Hamas Steps up its Struggle Against the Global Ji- Jerusalem Post, October 29, 2009. 53 “Jihadist Groups in Gaza Declare Hamas to be Infi- had-Affiliated Networks Trying to Challenge its Control 46 Zibun, “The Salafi Groups in Gaza Are Close to del. Their Loyalty is to Bin Ladin and Their Bombings of the Gaza Strip. Hamas Recently Used Extreme Force to Al-Qa’idah, and Have Split from Factions Including Reached the Home of Haniyah,” al-Hayat, March 3, Suppress Global Jihad Operatives, One of Whose Lead- Hamas.” 2010. ers Proclaimed the Establishment of an Islamic Emirate 47 Ibid. 54 Tine Gade, Fatah al-Islam in Lebanon: Between Global in the Ibn Taymiyyah Mosque in Rafah,” Intelligence and 48 See “Hamas Steps up its Struggle Against the Global and Local Jihad (Kjeller: Norwegian Defence Research Es- Terrorism Information Center, September 1, 2009. Jihad-Affiliated Networks Trying…”; “Ansar al-Sunnah tablishment, 2007), pp. 27-29. 40 “Rafah Clashes Between Hamas Police, Salafi Group,” Claims Responsibility for Shooting at Israeli Patrol Near 55 Khaled Abu Toameh, “PA Claims Fatah al-Islam Mil- al-Arabiya, August 14, 2009. Kissufim Post,” Ramattan News Agency, August 28, itants at Work in Gaza, Blames Hamas,” Jerusalem Post, 41 “Mideast: Hamas Declares Salafi Group Leader Dead; 2009. December 26, 2007.

8 may 2010 . Vol 3 . Issue 5 and the Hamas government has since Conclusion and Threat Assessment reaction to the Salafi-jihadis’ repeated denied any operational presence of the The Salafi-jihadi movement within Gaza defiance of the Hamas government.62 Lebanese Salafi-jihadi group in Gaza, has been growing since 2006, and it now accusing the Palestinian Authority constitutes a loose network of mostly In parallel, however, the jihadist of fabricating accusations to further Palestinian fighters who have adopted factions have grown even more defiant destroy Hamas’ international image.56 an international jihadist approach to of Hamas, both by continuing to Even if the Palestinian Authority’s the previously more statist Palestinian disregard its calls to maintain a cease- reports are accurate, Fatah al-Islam’s struggle. Although none of these groups fire and, more recently, by starting to presence in Gaza has insofar been seem to have concrete organizational or directly target Hamas members and negligible. operational ties with al-Qa`ida, they government figures.63 This attitude has all show ideological proximity with the been effectively summarized by Kata’ib Various Smaller Groups international jihadist network, and they al-Tawhid’s leader Abu Abdhallah, In addition to these more well- have demonstrated a strong interest in by stating that his group now aims “to established groups, there are also a targeting international targets within overthrow Hamas and set up an Islamic number of smaller, loosely affiliated Gaza. To date, these groups have lacked caliphate in the Gaza Strip.”64 Although cells that adopt a variety of front names the sophistication and strength to the Salafi-jihadi movement lacks the to perpetrate their attacks.57 This conduct large-scale terrorist operations, military strength to implement this makes it more difficult to determine either within Gaza or against Israel. threat, its role in Gaza cannot be with certainty the group behind each underestimated, especially considering operation. Accordingly, a number of This situation may change, however, the ongoing defection of disenchanted important jihadist plots—including if the Salafi-jihadis succeed in Hamas fighters who leave the group’s the attack at the UNRWA-sponsored transitioning from a loose cluster of military brigades to join the new, more festival in the al-Umariya school in groups into a more operationally, radical jihadist formations.65 Rafah in 2007—have been attributed logistically, and strategically inter- to “al-Qa`ida affiliates” without being connected network. In other words, Benedetta Berti is the Bradley Foundation able to fully uncover which cell or these organizations have a limited Doctoral fellow at the Fletcher School group was behind them.58 This data is capacity to coordinate their operations, (Tufts University), and a Neubauer still, however, highly significant, as it and their overall effectiveness is Associate Research Fellow at the Institute shows the ongoing proliferation of the impaired by the proliferation of small for National Security Studies (Tel Aviv Salafi-jihadi movement and the related jihadist cells, the rapid emergence of University). Ms. Berti specializes in rise in the number of active groups. As new militant groups, and the fluid international security studies and Middle late as August 2009, new groups were nature of these organizations. The rise Eastern politics. in fact still emerging in Gaza, including of Jaljalat as a loosely structured group al-Tawhid wal-Jihad, established with represents an interesting phenomenon. the progressive closure of Gaza,59 It has the highest potential to expand and Kata’ib al-Tawhid, which claims and develop into an even broader a cadre of several hundred fighters umbrella organization and co-opt other and an expertise in “RPG rockets, smaller factions, thereby increasing its kalashnikovs, explosive devices, and operational strength and effectiveness. mines, but we are trained in everything, including martyrdom.”60 In analyzing the ongoing trends within the Salafi-jihadi camp in Gaza, it is also important to mention these groups’ 56 “Talk About Presence of Fatah al-Islam in Gaza Ri- increasingly antagonistic relations with diculous Joke, Exposed Scandal for Those Who Support Hamas. In this sense, a clear watershed Embargo,” BBC Monitoring Middle East, January 6, has been the August 2009 armed clashes 2008. between Hamas and the Salafi-jihadis 57 Walid Phares, “Jihadist Games in Gaza; Western in Rafah. Hamas shifted from an initial Media Must Be Careful,” Washington Times, August 31, tolerance of Salafi-jihadi operations 2006. against Israel to implementing a strategy 58 Jabr, “Al-Ayyam Opens File on Salafi Groups in The of containment based on attempting to Gaza Strip.” Also see, for example, “Jihadist Groups in control Gaza’s religious institutions, Gaza declare Hamas to Be Infidel. Their Loyalty Is to Bin detaining these groups’ most radical Ladin and Their Bombings Reached the Home of Hani- members, and occasionally cracking 61 yah.” down on the operational cells. 62 For example, by ignoring the group’s calls to respect 59 Kifah Zibun, “Abu-Hamzah Al-Maqdisi to Al-Sharq the unofficial cease-fire with Israel, or by openly chal- Al-Awsat: We Are Not Takfiris, and We Are Proceeding In particular, Hamas has become more lenging Hamas’ monopoly of force within Gaza. with the Establishment of an Islamic Emirate,” al-Sharq determined in regulating and controlling 63 “Jihadist Groups in Gaza Declare Hamas to be Infi- al-Awsat, September 5, 2009. these groups in the aftermath of the del. Their Loyalty is to Bin Ladin and Their Bombings 60 Roberto Bongiorni, “Palestinian Salafist Cell Leader January 2009 Gaza war, mostly as a Reached the Home of Haniyah.” Explains Anti-Hamas Objectives,” Il Sole 24 Ore, August 64 Bongiorni. 18, 2009. 61 Spyer, “Al-Qaida-Style Islamism Comes To Gaza.” 65 Ibid.

9