Hamas security forces detained a senior leader of Jaish al-Ummah, a pro-Al-Qaida group on Thursday in the Gaza Strip, one of his aides said. Abu Hafs was ordered by the Hamas internal security service to report for questioning on Wednesday, two days after Jaish al-Ummah held an armed training session in the Gaza Strip, and has not returned since. "They imprisoned him," said the aide, who asked to remain anonymous. The aide said he believed the arrest was linked to the training session. The Hamas-run Interior Ministry in the Gaza Strip had no immediate comment.
Abu Hafs vowed in an interview during the training session to fight Israel and infidels. He also criticised Hamas for not implementing Islamic law in the Gaza Strip. Jaish al-Ummah says it supports Al-Qaida ideology but is a saparate group.