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Salafi stream operatives in Gaza
Photo: Reuters

Report: Al-Qaeda-linked groups reject Hamas proposal

Al-Sharq al-Awsat reports organizations loyal to al-Qaeda in Gaza reject ruling Hamas' proposal to disarm in exchange for pardon; demand Hamas release prisoners, return confiscated weapons

Attempts by the Hamas movement to disarm al-Qaeda linked gunmen in the Gaza Strip have failed, London-based al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper reported on Friday. 

 

According to the report, sources in Gaza affiliated with the Jihad organizations said Hamas has not succeeded in forcing on them an agreement, according to which they would receive a full pardon and be able to join Hamas' ranks.

 

Three leaders of the extremist organizations rejected the conditions set by Hamas after a number of meetings held between the parties. According to the leaders, Hamas' goal was to paralyze their organizations.

 

The conflict between Hamas and al-Qaeda linked groups reached its peak in August, when Hamas security forces crushed an uprising by Jund al-Ansar Allah operatives, followers of Salafi faction leader Abdul Latif Musa. Dozens were killed and injured.

 

Reconciliation talks were attempted between the parties following the clashes. Hamas demanded the organizations provide precise information on who is behind them, as well as details of their source of funding. Hamas also demanded the group stop recruiting people to its ranks, and in particular to stop attempting to recruit Hamas operatives.

 

Hamas also reportedly demanded the organizations cease all military activity, both against Israel and within the Gaza Strip.

 

In exchange, Hamas said it would guarantee the safety of the organizations' operatives, and grant a full pardon to the Salafi organizations. Hamas went so far as to propose accepting the organizations into their ranks.

 

The leaders of the extremist stream refused to disarm their organizations and told Hamas leaders that they would remain faithful to their resistance to the "occupation". Gaza sources attribute some of the rocket attacks on Israel to these rebel organizations that do not accept Hamas' authority.

 

In addition, the Salafi groups' leaders demanded Hamas release all their prisoners held in Hamas prisons and return weapons that were confiscated from them.

 


פרסום ראשון: 10.02.09, 11:40
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