RAMALLAH, March 2: Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas voiced fears on Thursday that Al Qaeda had infiltrated the West Bank and Gaza, as Israel warned citizens to avoid its Arab neighbours over fears of an attack.

In an interview with the pan-Arab Al Hayat daily, Mr Abbas said intelligence had emerged that Osama bin Laden’s network was in business in the Palestinian territories, although it has not carried out any operations.

“We have received indications of a certain Al Qaeda presence in Gaza and the West Bank,” said Mr Abbas. “We are talking about intelligence information but nothing has been intercepted yet.

“I received that last intelligence report three days ago. This is the first time that I have spoken about this situation, which is very serious.”

Gen Dani Arditi, head of Israel’s anti-terrorist office, said in October that Al Qaeda had infiltrated the Gaza Strip from Egypt’s neighbouring Sinai peninsula after the withdrawal of Israeli troops the previous month.

Al Qaeda is believed to have been behind two major attacks on the Sinai: a bombing at the resorts of Taba in Oct 2004 and Sharm el Sheikh last July, which combined left more than 100 people dead.

The Sinai, occupied by Israel from 1967 to 1982, is a popular tourist destination for Israelis.

However, in a travel advisory on Wednesday, Israel’s National Security Council urged citizens to steer clear not just of Egypt but also Jordan.

“In light of the recent upsurge in terrorist activities by ‘Global Jihad’ in Israel’s neighbours, including against foreign nationals and Israelis, the National Security Council Counter-Terrorism Division... recommends that Israeli citizens refrain from visiting or staying in these countries,” it said.

Asked to comment on Mr Abbas’s claims, acting Israeli leader Ehud Olmert said his security services were ready to cope with any danger.—AFP