From Al-Qaeda Leader Urges Support for Hamas:
Al-Qaeda’s deputy leader called on Muslims worldwide to back Hamas with weapons, money and attacks on U.S. and Israeli interests, urging the Palestinian militant group on Monday to unite with al-Qaeda after its takeover of Gaza. The Internet audio message from Ayman al-Zawahri, bin Laden’s top deputy, marked a major shift by al-Qaeda, which in the past criticized Hamas for joining a government with the U.S.-supported Fatah faction.