Al-Quaeda Mock Cell

From 9/11 Encyclopedia:

In early December 2002, palestine officials claimed, that the Israeli intelligence Shin-Beth started to pose as Al-Quaeda. 

The purpose for this operation was not explained. "Over the past nine months, we've been investigating eight cases in which Israeli intelligence posing as Al-Qaeda operatives recruited Palestinians in the Gaza Strip," said Abu Shbak (head of preventive security Rashid Abu Shbak), referring to a series of e-mails and phone call conversations.

He added that three Palestinians had been detained. The security chief said his services had traced back to Israel cellphone calls and e-mails in which Palestinians were asked to join Al-Qaeda. "The Shin Beth - Israeli internal intelligence - has the means to do whatever it wants." Abu Shbak's revelations came two days after Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon charged Al-Qaeda militants were operating in the Gaza Strip and in Lebanon, raising fears of an intensification of Israeli military operations.
http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=3544

The story was picked up at BBC on December 8th, 2002: 
"Officials from the Palestinian Authority have accused the Israeli spy agency Mossad of setting up a fake al-Qaeda terrorist cell in Gaza. Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat said that Israel had set up the mock cell in order to justify attacks in Palestinian areas." "We are sure that Israel is behind this and that there are absolutely no groups such as al-Qaeda operating here," Colonel Abu-Shbak said. 
American media reported, that al-Qaeda has set up a branch to help Palestinian militant groups fight Israel, according to a website US officials believe is linked to the organisation
. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2550513.stm