In 2008 I wrote a report on al Qaeda’s interest in the Palestinian territories. In the paper, I explored Israel’s place in al Qaeda’s narrative and its shift to the center of al Qaeda’s strategy. I did this through tracing the history of al Qaeda in the Palestinian territories and its relations with Hamas, which currently rules over the Gaza Strip. Ultimately, I concluded that while Hamas and al Qaeda share certain ideologies, their ultimate objectives make their union unfeasible. The result, I wrote, would make the competition over power inevitable.
Earlier this week, Hamas killed 16 people in the Gaza Strip allegedly affiliated with al Qaeda. This development confirms my hypothesis.
Posted by Ariel Goldring 
