Special to WorldTribune.com

LONDON — Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant has decided not to intervene in the Hamas war against Israel.

Islamist sources said ISIL rejected several appeals by Al Qaida-aligned militias in the Gaza Strip to send money and weapons to fight Israel.

They said ISIL responded that its priority was the establishment of a so-called caliphate in Iraq, Syria and Turkey.

“ISIL offered training for Palestinians who come to its camps in Iraq and Syria, but nothing more,” the source said.

The sources said ISIL was quietly investing resources in the Gaza Strip and neighboring Egypt.

But the movement was working with other groups, including Ansar Al Sharia and Army of Islam, for recruitment of Egyptians and Palestinians for the current war in Iraq and Syria.

In mid-2014, several Salafist groups in the Gaza Strip sought funding from ISIL. Some of them posted photographs of cells loyal to ISIL chief Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi.

“Hamas does not want or need ISIL and has been arresting those seen as too active,” another source said.

  Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi, Ansar Al Sharia, Thanks but no thanks: ISIL declines invite to Gaza War