The Israel-Hamas conflict continues. The war enters into its 18th day. Alarming reports have emerged indicating that two well-known Islamist terrorist organizations, Al-Qaeda and ISIS, have issued calls to their supporters, urging them to target Israeli, American, and Jewish interests. This development has ignited concerns regarding the potential escalation of terrorist activities not only in the Middle East but also in Western nations, including the United States and the United Kingdom.
Al-Qaeda’s Support For Hamas
In a series of statements over the past two weeks, Al-Qaeda affiliates have openly congratulated Hamas for its unprecedented attack on Israel. It occurred on October 7, 2023.
Al-Shabaab, Al-Qaeda’s branch in Somalia in East Africa, has emphasized that the conflict in the Middle East extends beyond the scope of regional factions. He asserted that it represents a broader struggle for the entire Muslim Ummah.
They have called upon Muslims to unite and support the mujahideen against both Jews and their perceived hypocritical infidel allies.
The message is clear: they view their strength as synonymous with the strength of the jihadist front.
Sword of Humiliation?
This sentiment is echoed by Al-Qaeda branches located in Yemen, Syria, and the Indian subcontinent, who have reiterated the calls made by Al-Shabaab. Al-Qaeda branches in North and West Africa have praised the Hamas strikes on Israel.
While applauding these attacks, the Islamist terrorist group has encouraged their continuation.
They urged unwavering determination on the path of jihad. They see these as a means to lift the perceived “sword of humiliation” from the Palestinians.
Global Jihad
Amidst these calls for violence and extremist actions, Hamas, the Palestinian organization leading the charge against Israel, has also made explicit calls for jihad. On October 11, 2023, Ismail Haniyeh, the Chief of Hamas (in office since 2017), took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter). He implored the Muslim community to engage in ‘global jihad’ and be prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of Palestine. This call has been widely reported.
It’s worth noting that since 2020, Ismail Haniyeh, along with other members of the Hamas leadership, has been based in Doha, Qatar. This relocation occurred as a result of Egyptian restrictions. It limited their movement in and out of Gaza.
Adding to the calls for jihad, former Hamas leader Khaled Mashal (in office from 2014 to 2017) announced on October 11, 2023, that it is time for individuals to take to the streets and public squares in the Arab and Islamic world.
He extended his appeal to scholars who teach the principles of jihad and encouraged them to apply this doctrine. Mashal also reached out to the people of Jordan, urging them to recognize the gravity of the situation and take responsibility, as the borders appear to be drawing near.
In the midst of these concerning developments, it is important to remain vigilant, as extremist groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIS are exploiting the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict to further their agendas. The international community faces the challenge of addressing these threats while seeking a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.