Hamas says it has put an end to what has been seen as the greatest challenge to its control of Gaza since it took over the Strip.<br /><br />The political and military group is being blamed for a rise in extremist activity in the territory over the past two years.<br /><br />On Friday, a little-known pro-al-Qaeda group called Jund Ansar Allah, or Soldiers of the Supporters of God, proclaimed "the creation of an Islamic emirate in the Gaza Strip".<br /><br />They reportedly claimed Hamas was too liberal and demanded the territory to be governed purely by sharia, Islamic law.<br /><br />Within 24 hours, Abdel-Latif Moussa, their cleric leader, and a number of followers had been killed in clashes with Hamas security forces.<br /><br />Is Hamas beginning to lose popularity with the people of Gaza? What is the significance of pro-al-Qaeda groups emerging in Gaza? And are 'extremist' groups a real threat to the Hamas rule in the Gaza Strip?
