Gaza conflict could fuel IS and al-Qaida revival, security experts warn

The aftermath of Israeli attacks on the Maghazi refugee camp in Deir al-Balah, Gaza on 16 July. The conflict in Gaza is said to be ‘feeding terrorism and radicalisation across the Islamic world’. Photograph: Ali Jadallah/Anadolu/Getty Images

Security services across the Middle East fear the conflict in Gaza will allow Islamic State (IS) and al-Qaida to rebuild across the region, leading to a wave of terrorist plots in coming months and years.

Officials and analysts say there is already evidence of increased Islamic militant extremism in many places, although multiple factors are combining to cause the surge.