Ultra-Islamism in the Gaza, take II

More information is coming to light on the shadowy Islamist group, Jund Ansar Allah. The group made world headlines last week when its followers clashed with Hamas gunmen in the Gaza Strip's Rafah city after its leader, Sheikh Abdel-Latif Moussa, declared an Islamic Emirate in the Strip. Communiques from the group, recently translated by the NEFA Foundation, indicate that Moussa had strong ties with the Hamas and the al-Qassem brigades (military wing of Hamas) leaderships, but had recently fallen out of favour with the group. The reasons provided for this falling out are provided by Jund's propaganda team, which boast that its military prowess was becoming a threat to Hamas. The subsequent hit on Moussa and his followers in Rafah last Friday can be viewed as an attempt by the Gaza usurpers (recall that Hamas defeated Fatah for control of the Strip in 2007) to maitain its hegemony in the impoverished coastal enclave. Claims that the group is linked to al-Qaeda have also been rubbished by Jund's media branch; however, this isn't suprising as al-Qaeda, it would seem, and groups associated with it are looking towards lowering their public image - for good reason. Since 2001 the group has been virtually decimated. The al-Qaeda connection will need to be studied further later on.

So why has Jund suddnely appeared and gained a following? The answer can be found by looking at the conditions within the Gaza Strip. Politically Hamas, Fatah and the PLO have failed its people. The Palestinian polity are more fragmented than ever and we are no nearer to securing a lasting peace and two state solution than we were in 1993 with Arafat's widely condemned and ill-fated Oslo Peace Accords. Economically, the Strip is in a bad way. Opportunities for young Palestinians to enter the market and achieve are less than 0. So, with no cash and no prospect of freedom, the only option is extremism for many Palestinians. Enter the revered Moussa who it must be said like many groups before has promised its people the land of its forefathers (Israel), a capital (Jerusalem) and a return to law (strict interpretation of Sharia). These words speak volumes to the people of Gaza. They are only human after all and such promises to a long sufferring people must be very convincing. Mecasr's bottom line: Expect more activity on the Jund front. Hamas have made their intentions clear that it will accept no challengers. Jund for their part have a blood debt to pay. Expect a few dead Hamas gunmen in the next few weeks.