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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| Al-Qaeda sets up shop in Gaza |
| 2005-10-31 |
| Agents of the al-Qaeda network have infiltrated the Gaza Strip from Egypt's Sinai peninsula, a senior Israeli military official charged on Sunday. Brigadier General Danny Arditi, head of Israel's anti-terror unit, told army radio that in the days following the Israeli troop withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, which ended on September 12, al-Qaeda militants had slipped into the territory through the southern border with Egypt. "The breaching of border along the Philadelphi corridor has allowed activists from al-Qaeda and world jihad agents into the Gaza Strip," Arditi said. Hundreds of jubilant Palestinians stormed Gaza's southern border with Egypt in the immediate aftermath of the pull-out, leaving Palestinian and Egyptian officials helpless to stop them. Three weeks ago, the head of Israeli military intelligence said he believed al-Qaeda had established a base in Sinai. General Aharon Zeevi told cabinet ministers that the Egyptian authorities were aware of the base, but were wary of launching a full-frontal assault for fear of exacerbating tensions. Earlier this month, the anti-terror unit advised Israelis to steer clear of the Sinai, a favourite holiday destination, over intelligence reports that Islamic extremists were planning to kidnap tourists on beaches. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |