Hamas fighters have been defecting to ISIS in Syria, challenging the authority of Hamas in Gaza, according to a report published in the Times today.
Both groups share Islamist ideology, and ISIS flags were waved by protestors in a Gazan demonstration against Charlie Hebdo’s depictions of the Prophet Muhammad in January.
However, Hamas opposes ISIS’ influence in Gaza: a former Hamas fighter was shot dead in his home after pledging allegiance to the so-called Islamic State.
ISIS propaganda chastises Hamas for negotiating ceasefires with Israel, and criticises its corruption and less devout religious practices.
Earlier this year, an ISIS-affiliated group launched rockets from Gaza into Israel in violation of Hamas’ ceasefire.
Since this summer, at least ten Hamas fighters have died while fighting for ISIS in Syria. One of those killed was Talal Herzallah, a 24 year-old former Hamas fighter who was killed by a Russian airstrike in Raqqa, Syria.
Reportedly ISIS has been making cuts to fighters’ salaries as airstrikes have affected its finances.
