At least 24 people were killed in clashes with the shadowy group, which posed one of the biggest challenges to Hamas since the militant group seized power in Gaza two years ago.
The fighting broke out Friday when Hamas security men surrounded a mosque in the southern Gaza town of Rafah on the Egyptian border where about 100 members of Jund Ansar Allah, or the Soldiers of the Companions of God, were holed up.
Jund Ansar Allah claims inspiration from al-Qaida's ultraconservative brand of Islam but no direct links have been confirmed.
These groups are also upset that the Hamas regime has honored a cease-fire with Israel for the past seven months.
This is interesting for a couple of reasons imho.
first it shows that there is infighting in the gaza area for control.
second it shows that hamas is working to prevent militants from seizing power as well as from launching attacks on israel.
this underscores the, sadly somewhat truthful, assertion that hamas is an extremist organization that will only lead gaza towards more conflict with israel.
instead we see hamas attempting to stymie extremism and honoring, for seven months, a cease fire with israel.
all in all good sings imho.
