Jerusalem Post reports that fighting today in the Gaza Strip between Hamas forces and the radical Islamist group Jund Ansar Allah killed 5 and wounded at least 50. The fighting, which began near a mosque in Rafah, was triggered when Islamist leader Abdel-Latif Moussa (also known by his nom de guerre, Abu al-Nour al-Maqdessi) declared "the birth of the Islamic Emirate" in Gaza. Jund Ansar Allah apparently has links to Al Qaida. Islamists seeking to impose shariah law in Gaza are increasingly challenging Hamas, whose goals are more nationalistic than religious. The Hamas's Interior Ministry described Maqdessi as "crazy."
UPDATE: When the fighting between Hamas and Jund Ansar Allah finally came to an end on Saturday, 24 people had been killed according to Haaretz. Among the dead was Jund Ansar Allah leader Abdel-Latif Moussa whose explosive vest went off killing him and a Hamas negotiator during a stand off at Moussa's home. Also killed in the fighting was Hamas official, Abu Jibril Shimali, whom Israel said was responsible for the high-profile capture three years ago of Gilad Shalit, who is still being held by Hamas.
