Evidence: Al-Qaida rocket attack in Gaza false

Global terror network claims cell in Israel

An alleged al-Qaida claim this week the global terror network fired rockets at Jewish communities in the Gaza Strip does not match evidence found in the actual rocket attack, WND has learned.

A group claiming to be "Al-Qaida-Palestine, Jihad Brigades in the Border Land," announced Tuesday the establishment of a cell in the Gaza Strip. The group said it carried out an attack last Saturday using a new kind of rocket � the Sinjal � against Neve Dekalim, the largest community in Gaza's Gush Katif slate of Jewish neighborhoods.

The announcement was made by videotape on websites previously used by al-Qaida to claim responsibility for terror operations, including recent bombings in London and Madrid.

"The brigades are not a new organization but merely a spirit of faith pushing the jihad fighters in the promised land to close ranks behind an honest and uncompromising leadership," the announcement said.

Ami Shaked, security coordinator for Gaza's Gush Katif slate of Jewish communities, told WND Sinjal rockets were not used in last Saturday's attack.

"The rockets were no different from all the rockets we are seeing," Shaked said. "The claim of a different kind of rocket is not true."

spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces told WND the army and Israel's Shin Bet Security Services are investigating the al-Qaida claim of setting up shop in Gaza.

Senior military sources could not confirm the presence of Al-Qaida in Gaza. They said it is not the global network's "style" to carry out small-scale rocket and mortar attacks.