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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. (Reuters) Last update - 11:18 27/02/2008 Abbas: Hamas helping Al-Qaida establish base in Gaza Strip By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent and Haaretz Service Tags: Al-Qaeda, Hamas, Gaza Strip  Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday said that Al-Qaida militants have infiltrated the Gaza Strip and are receiving assistance from Hamas in establishing a base of operations in the Strip. "An alliance has formed between these two organizations," Abbas told the London-based Arabic daily Al-Hayat on Wednesday. Abbas leveled harsh criticism at Hamas in the interview, calling the group "a dark organization that wants to establish its own fiefdom in the Gaza Strip, without any concern for the national aspirations of the Palestinian people, aspirations which are threatened by their actions." Advertisement Abbas repeated his call for Hamas to renew ties with Fatah, saying that if the group loosened their grip on the Gaza Strip new elections for the Palestinian presidency and parliament could take place. Abbas said the current situation in Gaza does not lend itself to Fatah-Hamas talks, and added that he has no contact with Hamas Political Bureau Chief Khaled Mashaal. Military Intelligence Chief Amos Yadlin on Tuesday said that Al-Qaida operatives managed to slip into the Gaza Strip after the Gaza-Egypt border was breached in January by explosives planted by Hamas militants. According to Yadlin, many of the operatives underwent training in Syria and Iran and include snipers and explosives and engineering experts. Last December, Al-Qaida leader Osama Bin Laden released a tape in which he warned the group would widen its operations in "occupied Palestine" with the goal of "liberating all of Palestine from the river to the sea." Bin Laden said the group would make sure that "not a single Jew is left in Palestine" and would never recognize "even one inch of Jewish land, something that other Muslim leaders accepted." Hamas, which seized control of the Gaza Strip last year after routing forces loyal to the secular Abbas, has been criticized by al-Qaida's number second in command, Ayman al-Zawahri, who had accused it of serving U.S. interests. The Army of Islam, a shadowy clan-based group which held BBC journalist Alan Johnston for 114 days, is believed to be inspired by al-Qaida but there are no known direct links between them. Related articles: Abbas: Hamas supporting al-Qaida in Gaza, Fatah will not negotiate Egypt intelligence chief due in Israel for talks on Gaza tension Olmert spokesman says Israel taking bin Laden threats seriously Al-Qaida's No. 2: Annapolis summit was betrayal of Palestinians Meshal: Johnston's release shows Hamas brought order to Gaza Al-Qaida claims responsibility for shooting attack near Israeli Embassy in Mauritania Morocco uncovers terror ring planning attacks on local Jews Bookmark to del.icio.us   Power to the people Egypt plans to provide all of Gaza's electricity, to wean dependency on Israel. Calculated escalation Hamas has been trying for some time to create a balance of deterrence with Israel.   1.   No Known Direct Links 10:52  |  Walid 27/02/08   2.   THEY WERE ALREADY THERE ALL ALONG 11:00  |  indrajaya 27/02/08   3.   Well. Clickfool, lakshmi, indrajaya, are you happy? 11:17  |  Yonatan 27/02/08   4.   Clickfool, Wow! 11:20  |  dovale 27/02/08   5.   THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN OUTSOURCE SECURITY!!!!!! 11:21  |  Ben Uziel 27/02/08   6.   Operating against terrorists. 11:50  |  Jean Van Daem 27/02/08   7.   So that`s where Al went 12:06  |  American Christian 27/02/08   8.   "Please, please whack Hamas for me": toothless Israeli Uncle Tom 12:59  |  Clickfool 27/02/08   9.   Indra - great intelligence !! 14:28  |  Dudu Ket 27/02/08   10.   Yawn! 14:46  |  Paulo 27/02/08   11.   #10 Paul stop Yawning 15:03  |  * BEN JABO 27/02/08   12.   Uncle Tom, Abbas does not know any thing 15:11  |  El-Birawi 27/02/08   13.   The pro Israelis believe it!!! 17:09  |  Ibrahim 27/02/08   14.   pay attention folks #2 indrajaya is right 17:09  |  boxley 27/02/08   15.   While Olmert sleeps Al Qaida grows stronger 17:49  |  Dish it Out 27/02/08   16.   SILVIENNE donate some more money to the Palestinians 17:59  |  Gil 27/02/08   17.   Pitiful quisling&collaborator,he did his best from day one of the 18:28  |  lakshmi 27/02/08   18.   Abbas 21:11  |  P. J. Casey 27/02/08   19.   Riiiight. And we are expected to believe this.... 06:37  |  Johnboy 28/02/08   20.   #11 *BEN JABO`s uppsy-down-town 06:54  |  Johnboy 28/02/08   21.   #20 Johnboy has emerged - Halleluya 14:27  |  * BEN JABO 28/02/08   22.   #20-2 Johnboy - Now that you`ve been found 14:31  |  * BEN JABO 28/02/08   23.   Retake Gaza Now!! 18:59  |  Cristo 28/02/08   24.   Nr 20- And what are you doing in Australia? instead of 19:03  |  Cristo 28/02/08   25.   #20 THIRD TRY Johnboy 02:33  |  * BEN JABO 29/02/08   26.   #23 Better post it again, BENnie-boy 05:44  |  Johnboy 29/02/08   27.   #22 No thanks, Cristo..... 05:51  |  Johnboy 29/02/08   28.   #23 Johnboy - I posted it 3x - GO LOOK 02:31  |  * BEN JABO 01/03/08

Today Online 2 IDF soldiers, 61 Palestinians die in Gaza clashes Responses: 615 Barak: Hamas will pay for its escalation in the south Responses: 469 Analysis: Uncompromising Hamas is in trouble Responses: 250 Bradley Burston: True Islam will spell defeat for the Jihadists Responses: 131 When McCain and Obama face off, Israel may find itself in the eye of the storm Responses: 127 Rosner's Domain No "statement of interest" against terror victims (WTR) McCain, Obama gear up for face off over Iraq Poll: Your solution for the situation in Gaza Battle of Ohio: from James Garfield to Hillary Clinton Prosecutor in AIPAC case to leave before trial? (WTR) More Headlines 03:34 After day of Gaza bloodshed, IAF strikes Haniyeh headquarters 00:15 PA suspends peace talks with Israel over Gaza violence 04:56 UN chief: Israel's use of violence in Gaza is 'disproportionate' 00:48 Family and friends gather to pay respects to fallen IDF soldiers 04:21 The perspective from Ashkelon: Don't test our patience 04:31 Independent expert: IDF bullets didn't kill Mohammed al-Dura 22:40 N.Y. Plaza Hotel, co-owned by Israeli and Saudi groups, reopens doors 04:05 On Arab TV, the images from Gaza are of dead women and children 04:07 The hummus test: Peki'in's Jewish tourists switch from Druze to Muslim 05:07 Expats' kids returning to Israel to enlist in IDF at rising rate 00:18 Vice Premier: Reoccupying Gaza will hurt Israel more than help it Previous Editions Select Day 29 feb 28 feb 27 feb 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 22 feb 21 feb 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb

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