 The group appears to draw inspiration from, or is linked to, al-Qaeda, and has conducted at least one bombing of a Palestinian civilian target (an empty school) and a number of other kidnappings.The group was originally closely related to Hamas, but its extremist stances eventually alienated both Hamas and Fatah.The group has also been known as "The Organization of jihad in Palestine" and is linked to Abu Qatada, the British-based Palestinian-Jordanian extremist Sheikh who they demanded be released in exchange for Johnston.