I just read this on the Media Line, but can't seem to find a second source. Has anyone else heard about this story?

BREAKING NEWS: Al-Qa’ida Founds Palestinian Base

A new group claiming to be affiliated with Al-Qa’ida says it has based itself in Palestinian territories.

According to a communiquי obtained by AFP, the group, which calls itself the Islamic Army of Jerusalem (Jeish Al-Quds Al-Islami), has been established in the region to fight Americans and Zionists.

AFP said the authenticity of the message could not be verified.

The group was formed upon orders from Al-Qa’ida chief Osama Bin Laden, Sheikh Ayman A-Zawahiri and Abu Mu’s’ab A-Zarqawi, the message said.

It added that the group will target all enemies of Islam and of Muslims. “We will strike with an iron fist all the American and Zionist crusades. We will blow up their positions with our bodies and we’ll shake the earth under their feet,” the message said.

The group also vowed to show its fighters on television to demonstrate its might and show that “we are serious in our actions.”

This is the first time an Al-Qa’ida group is claiming its base in Palestinian areas. Bin Laden and other Al-Qa’ida leaders often talk about the need to “liberate” Palestinian lands.

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud ‘Abbas has mentioned the existence of Al-Qa’ida elements in the West Bank and Gaza. In March, ‘Abbas expressed concern that if such elements were able to enter these areas without any supervision, the result would be the “destruction of the region.” Indications of their presence in the Palestinian territories are based on intelligence information, ‘Abbas said.

Israeli security experts have also expressed concern that Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza will create a vacuum, turning Gaza into a shelter for the global terror organization.

http://www.themedialine.org

Tags: al-qaida, islamic army of jerusalem
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