New Middle East Muslim Group Formed

(Gaza Strip) Update your programs. There's a new distinct Shi'ite group to add to the chaos in the Middle East.

From JPost.com:

The Palestinian Authority security forces are investigating whether Iran, Hizbullah or al-Qaida are behind a new Shi'ite group that has been operating in the West Bank and Gaza Strip over the past few days.

Called the Higher Shi'ite Council, the group is headed by Muhammad Ghawanmeh, a former Islamic Jihad official from the West Bank. Ghawanmeh was close to Islamic Jihad secretary-general Fathi Shikaki, who was reportedly assassinated in Malta in 1996 by Mossad agents.

Hamas officials, upon learning of the new Shi'ite group, expressed deep concern and called for an investigation to establish who is behind the initiative.

PA and Hamas officials told The Jerusalem Post that Iran or Hizbullah were most likely behind the group. "The timing of the establishment of the new group is very suspicious," said a top Hamas official here. "It appears that some parties are trying to replace Hamas or compete with it."

The salient point of concern for Hamas is that all Muslims in the PA-controlled areas are Sunnis and the new group is Shi'ite. Evidently, the Sunni-Shi'ite conflict in Iraq is being expanded to include the PA-controlled areas of Gaza and the West Bank.

Consequently, the violent and chaotic mix in the Middle East will now include the Higher Shi'ite Council as a major player in the Palestinian conflict. As far as distinct entities, I count a total of seven Muslim groups that don't necessarily get along. They include the Palestinian Authority, Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad, al Qaeda, the Muslim Brotherhood, and the Higher Shi'ite Council. Am I missing any?

Companion post at In The Bullpen.