An offer to support Hamas by the number two leader of Al Qaeda, Ayman Al Zawahri, was reportedly turned down, as Hamas said that the ideologies of the two groups differed widely.
Sources in the Hamas party, which recently won Palestinian parliamentary elections, explained that due to ideological differences, they would decline Al Qaeda's offer, though on an unofficial basis, according to the AP.
The group added that they had won Palestinian support due to their moderate approach to Islam.
"Hamas believes that Islam is completely different to the ideology of Mr. Al Zawahri," stated an anonymous source in the Gaza Strip on Sunday.
Shiite group with ties to Iran raises fear within Hamas
Meanwhile, Hamas officials have reportedly expressed alarm over the discovery of a new Shiite group operating in the Palestinian territories with possible connections to Al Qaeda, Hizbullah or Iran, according to the Jerusalem Post.
The group, called the Higher Shiite Council, has reportedly been operating in the Palestinian territories over the past few days.
"The timing of the establishment of the new group is very suspicious," one Hamas leader told the newspaper.
"It appears that some parties are trying to replace Hamas or compete with it," he added.
All Palestinians living in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are Sunni Arabs, leading some to fear that the rise of a Shiite group could lead to sectarian strife.
Leaflets were distributed by Hamas and Fatah on Sunday warning against the rise of the group.
One leaflet read, "We already have too many groups and militias in Palestine," another, "There's no room for another one, especially a Shiite council."
In light of Hamas' growing influence in the region, Iran and Hizbullah have attempted to strengthen ties with the group since its victory in the January 25 Palestinian elections.
An investigation into the matter was called by Hamas officials as a result.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has also expressed fears that the presence of Al Qaeda in the Palestinian territories could have destructive impact on the Palestinian community, according to Ynet.
According to souces, Al Qaeda's chief in Iraq, Abu Musab Al Zarqawi, aimed to boost his image in the eyes of Osama bin Laden, the group's top leader, by wielding influence in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
