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On February 15, 2024, Al-Sahab, the official media outlet of Al-Qaeda's Central Command, published a ten-page essay titled "This is Gaza: The Days of the Ceasefire and Palestine for the Past 75 Years until Today."[1] Fifth in a series of essays released since the outbreak of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in October 2023,[2] it is ascribed to Salem Al-Sharif, referred to here also as Muhammad Salah Al-Din Zaydan, the real name of the senior Al-Qaeda leader known as Sayf Al-'Adl [Sword of Justice].[3] Since Al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri was killed in a U.S. airstrike in Kabul in July 2022, Sayf Al-'Adl is widely assumed to be running the organization from Iran, although Al-Qaeda has officially confirmed neither Al-Zawahiri's death nor his succession by Sayf Al-'Adl.[4]
Discussing the hostage deal between Hamas and Israel in late November 2023, under which Hamas freed 105 Israelis over the course of a week in exchange for about three times the number of Palestinian prisoners, Al-Sharif effusively praises the Gazan mujahideen as paragons of morality, while accusing "Jews" and "Zionists" of heinous crimes in virulently antisemitic rhetoric.
Gazan Mujahideen Are Paragons Of Morality, Their Attack Shames Muslims Who Refrain From Jihad
According to the essay, the Palestinian mujahideen are a "towering moral summit to which no nationalist or Islamic liberation movement has preceded them" in terms of their efforts to free Muslim prisoners, and all their actions are conducted "with Divine patronage." Praising the Gazan mujahideen as "giants of asymmetric warfare," Al-Sharif notes their successes in the current war, despite their weaker capabilities compared to those of Israel's military.
The essay calls Hamas' attack "shari'a proof against every weak person who refrains from jihad," which opened a "gate of shame… against the governments of Arab and Muslim countries." It asks: "Although the [Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated] International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) which neighbors the American Al-Udeid Base in Qatar issued a fatwa that jihad is an individual duty for the armies and governments, has any of the governments of shame heeded their call?"
Noting that many Muslim countries are complicit in Israel's war on Gaza, Al-Sharif further asks: "Isn't Gaza being bombed from the Americans' depots at the Al-Udeid Base in Qatar, İncirlik in Turkey, and the depots in the UAE and Saudi Arabia?" He claims that "Turkey continues to provide the Jews with all their needs of food and clothing," and asks: "Can these regimes be expected to support the mujahideen, expel ambassadors, and cut ties [with Israel]?"
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[1] February 15, 2024.
[2] See MEMRI JTTM Reports: Praising Hamas Attack On Israel, Al-Qaeda Essay Accuses U.S., European Leaders Of Inciting Against Palestinians To Serve 'Jewish Lobby'; Calls To Storm Israel's Borders To 'End Jewish Presence In Region,' Target Jewish And Western Interests, November 1, 2023; Al-Qaeda Essay, In A Series Focused On The War In Gaza, Incites Armed Uprising, Encourages Attacks Against Israeli, U.S. Interests, Ambassadors In Muslim Countries; Exhorts Egyptian Military: 'We Expect A Lot From You In The Coming Days', November 27, 2023; Al-Qaeda Essay Calls To Support Gaza With Attacks On Israel, Western Soldiers, 'Zionist Interests' Worldwide; Urges Pro-Palestine Americans To Start Civil War; Suggests Assassinating Prince Harry, November 29, 2023; and Al-Qaeda Essay Calls For Civil Disobedience In Muslim Countries, U.S., Europe, To Topple Their Regimes And End Their Support For Israel, November 30, 2023.
[3] See MEMRI JTTM Reports: Al-Qaeda Book Released On 9/11 Anniversary Confirms For First Time The Identity, Pseudonym Of Al-Qaeda's Potential Future Leader, Sayf Al-'Adl, September 11, 2023; and Following Reported Death In Drone Strike Of Al-Qaeda Leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri – Exclusive MEMRI Jihad And Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) Analysis Of Al-Qaeda's Remaining Leadership, August 2, 2022.
[4] See MEMRI JTTM Reports: Anonymous Pro-Al-Qaeda Source: Some Al-Qaeda Supporters Oppose Sayf Al-'Adl As Possible Al-Zawahiri Successor Because He Lives In Iran, Lacks Charisma, September 7, 2022; Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) Cleric Al-Qahtani: Since Sayf Al-'Adl Took Reins Of Al-Qaeda There Is Growing Rapprochement Between Al-Qaeda In Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) And Iran's IRGC, July 21, 2023; and Article Posted By Pro-Al-Qaeda Media Outlet Replies To Hay'at Tahrir Al-Shams (HTS): Al-Qaeda In Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) Is Number One Enemy Of U.S., HTS Are Collaborators, August 4, 2023.
