Jund Ansar Allah

Jund Ansar Allah (Arabic: جند أنصار الله, Soldiers of the Supporters' of Allah‎‎) is an armed Islamist organization operating in the Gaza Strip. On August 14, 2009, the group's spiritual leader, Sheikh Abdel Latif Moussa, announced the establishment of an Islamic emirate in the Palestinian territories and criticized the ruling power, Hamas, for failing to enforce Sharia law. In response, Hamas attacked the organization. 24 people died during the fighting, including Moussa.

Announcing its establishment in November 2008, Jund Ansar Allah is an al-Qaeda inspired organization ideologically affiliated with the movement for global jihad. Sheikh Abdel Latif Moussa, an "Egyptian-educated physician-turned-cleric," was the group's spiritual leader. About two years ago, he left his medical practice in Rafah to become one of the most influential preachers in the southern Gaza Strip. In his Friday sermons that attracted thousands of young men, Moussa argued that Hamas had failed to properly institute Sharia law and had become too lenient. Hamas repeatedly warned Moussa and his followers to abandon his mosque in Rafah.

Jund Ansar Allah remained relatively unknown until June 8, 2009 when it launched a military operation against an IDF force near the Nahal Oz border crossing in the northern Gaza Strip. The IDF successfully foiled the attack, which incorporated the use of horses booby-trapped with IEDs and explosives. Five Jund Ansar Allah operatives died in the operation.

The organization also clashed with Hamas. On July 22, 2009, three Jund Ansar Allah militants holed up in a building in Khan Younis surrendered in a standoff with Hamas police.

On 8 June 2009 the group carried out a raid on the Karni border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Israel. After ten mujahideen from the group rode into battle on horses laden with large quantities of explosives, at least three of them were shot dead by Israeli troops. Israeli officials said several of the men had been wearing explosive belts, and suspected they had been attempting to kidnap a soldier.

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