Army of Islam (Gaza Strip)

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Army of Islam (Arabic: جَيش الإسلام‎ Jaysh al-Islām), also known as Tawhid and Jihad Brigades,[1] is the name used by the Dughmush-sometimes rendered "doghmush"- Hamula (clan) for their militant and takfiri activities.[2] It is located at the Tzabra neighborhood in the center of the Gaza Strip bordered by Israel and Egypt.

Notorious for their kidnapping of BBC reporter Alan Johnston and capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, Army of Islam, which appears to draw inspiration from, or is linked to al-Qaeda, have also conducted at least one bombing of a Palestinian civilian target (an empty school) and a number of other kidnappings. The group has been previously closely related to Hamas, but has been since shunned by both Hamas and Fatah. The group has also been known as the organisation of al-Qaeda in Palestine.

They are also linked to the British-based Palestinian-Jordanian extremist Sheikh, Abu Qatada who they demanded be released in exchange for the BBC journalist Alan Johnston who they had kidnapped in Gaza

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[edit] Origins

The group was reported to be an offshoot of the powerful Doghmush clan, which is renowned for extortion, smuggling, arms dealing and the ruthless dispatch of rivals, and has been dubbed "the Sopranos of Gaza City".[3] In June 2006 a Israeli Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit was abducted from across the border in Israel. It was reported in the media that the attack was credited by several militant groups, one of which included the then previously unknown group calling itself the "Army of Islam".

[edit] Kidnapping of Alan Johnston

Main article: Kidnapping of Alan Johnston

In 2007 the group have kidnapped the BBC correspondent Alan Johnston.[4][2] On June 25, 2007 a video was released by Army of Islam showing Johnston with an explosive belt around his waist,[5] with a demands for the release of Muslim prisoners in British custody. The group, which also kidnapped ten members of Hamas, had claimed that they would have killed him if there had been an attempt to rescue him by force. On July 4, 2007, after Gaza authorities arrested several members of Army of Islam including its spokesman,[6] as well as threats of execution, Alan Johnston was handed over to Hamas officials and released after 114 days in captivity.[7]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ PALESTINE: Reporter is dead, claims terror group
  2. ^ a b 'The Gears' by Dr. Guy Bechor (Hebrew)
  3. ^ The moment of greatest danger: after 114 days held captive in Gaza
  4. ^ BBC's Johnston shown in tape wearing explosives
  5. ^ LiveLeak.com - BBC Reporter Alan Johnston Wearing Suicide Belt Appeals
  6. ^ Hamas makes arrest in reporter's case
  7. ^ BBC's Alan Johnston is released

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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