Army of Islam (Gaza Strip)

Army of Islam ( _ar. جَيش الإسلام Jaysh al-Islām), also known as Tawhid and Jihad Brigades, [ [http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article-world.asp?parentid=67903 PALESTINE: Reporter is dead, claims terror group] ] is the name used by the Dughmush-sometimes rendered "doghmush"- "Hamula" (clan) for their militant and takfiri activities. [http://www.gplanet.co.il/prodetailsamewin.asp?pro_id=413 'The Gears' by Dr. Guy Bechor] languageicon|he|Hebrew] 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

Kidnapping of Alan Johnston

In 2007 the group have kidnapped the BBC correspondent Alan Johnston. [ [http://uk.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20070624/tpl-uk-palestinians-bbc-81f3b62.html BBC's Johnston shown in tape wearing explosives] ] On June 25, 2007 a video was released by Army of Islam showing Johnston with an explosive belt around his waist, [ [http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=b2c_1182727196 LiveLeak.com - BBC Reporter Alan Johnston Wearing Suicide Belt Appeals ] ] 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, Abu Muthana, [ [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070702/ap_on_re_mi_ea/palestinians_kidnapped_reporter Hamas makes arrest in reporter's case] ] as well as threats of execution, Alan Johnston was handed over to Hamas officials and released after 114 days in captivity. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6267928.stm BBC's Alan Johnston is released] ]

Notes

ee also

*Fatah al-Islam
*Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad

External links

* [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/06/01/wjohnston301.xml History of The Army of Islam]
* [http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/04/21/news/22mideast.php Bombing at U.S.-backed school in Gaza]