AP Interview: Jihadi leader in Gaza says groups gaining strength with thousands of fighters
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A leader of one of Gaza's secretive jihadist groups says the al-Qaida-inspired movement has gained strength and boasts several thousand armed fighters in the seaside strip.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Abu Bakir al-Ansari described a movement that is larger and better organized than is generally believed.
Abu Bakir says Gaza's Salafis have agreed with Hamas to observe a truce with Israel for now. But he says the fighters are ready to fight at any time "without any consultation with Hamas."
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Salaris are radical and ultraconservative Islamic groups that dream of turning Gaza into an Islamic caliphate. The groups have created problems for Hamas, carrying out a string of attacks while accusing the Islamic militant group of being too soft on Israel and failing to impose religious law.