Hamas has helped Al-Qaeda members enter the Gaza Strip and formed an alliance with them, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas was quoted as saying on Wednesday. "Al-Qaeda is present in Gaza and I'm convinced that they (Hamas) are their allies," Abbas said in an interview with the London-based pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat.
"I can say without doubt say that Al-Qaeda is present in the Palestinian territories and that this presence -- especially in Gaza -- is facilitated by Hamas," he said.
On Tuesday, head of the Israeli army's Intelligence Branch Maj.-Gen. Amos Yadlin said al-Qaeda operatives have recently entered the Gaza Strip through the breached border with Egypt.
