Terrorism Gaza War 'Could Fuel Resurgence Of Is And Al-Qaida'

Security services across the Middle East fear the conflict in Gaza will allow Islamic State and al-Qaida to rebuild across the region, leading to a wave of terrorist plots in coming months and years.

- Jason Burke

Officials and analysts say there is already evidence of increased Islamic militant extremism in many places, although a number of factors are combining to cause the surge.

In recent months, an IS branch in the Sinai desert has become more lethal: attacks by the group in Syria have caused concern and plots in Jordan have been thwarted.

Turkey made dozens of arrests last month as authorities sought to combat an increased threat from an IS affiliate, and al-Qaida's branch in Yemen has made a concerted effort to inspire followers to strike western, Israeli, Jewish and other targets.

Analysts and officials say the new activity is linked to the bloody conflict between Israel and Hamas, though widespread economic crises, instability and continuing civil conflict are also playing a role.

"Gaza is a source feeding terrorism and radicalisation across the Islamic world," one informed regional source said.

"There is a strong emotional reaction. We are just beginning to feel the heat." Tricia Bacon, a terrorism expert at the American University in Washington DC and a former US State Department analyst, described the Gaza war as a "seminal cause that will radicalise the next generation of jihadists".

"We may not see it immediately but we certainly will over the years to come," she said. "It has really heightened the terrorism threat."

The UN has published a series of reports drawing attention to efforts by major extremist groups to exploit the war in Gaza to attract new recruits and mobilise existing supporters despite al-Qaida and IS repeatedly condemning Hamas as "apostates" for decades.