Palestinian Islamic Jihad

Logo of PIJ, a Palestinian Resistance Movement

Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) is a resistance movement in Palestine that views resistance against Israeli occupation as the only path to the complete liberation of Palestinian lands. The movement is fundamentally based on Islamic doctrines and strictly opposes any recognition of Israel.

Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) was established by Fathi Shaqaqi in 1981 in Gaza. The current Secretary-General of the movement is Ziyad al-Nakhalah. Before him, the position was held by Ramadan Abdullah, who succeeded the founder, Fathi Shaqaqi. Many of the PIJ commanders have been assassinated by the Zionist regime, while the movement's military wing has carried out numerous operations against Israel in retaliation.

Introduction and Foundation

Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) is a major Palestinian resistance movement that sees armed resistance as the only path to liberating al-Quds, firmly opposing any agreements with Israel. Compared to the Hamas and Fatah movements, PIJ has less social support. However, its military presence in the West Bank is considered a key strength. Some European media describe the movement as having a hidden and well-organized structure.

Key political actions taken by Palestinian Islamic Jihad include opposing the Oslo I Accord (2003), boycotting the legislative elections (2006), opposing the Egyptian peace treaty in 2014, and attempting to de-escalate tensions between Hamas and the Egyptian government (2014).

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) was founded in 1981 by Fathi Shaqaqi, a Palestinian physician, along with Abd al-Aziz Awda, Ramadan Abd Allah, and Nafiz Azzam in Gaza. In 1987, members of the movement were exiled to Lebanon, where they established connections with Lebanese Hezbollah and received training from IRGC forces. In 1989, PIJ officially moved its headquarters to Damascus.

Fathi Shaghaghi, the founder and first general secretary of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement

Fathi Shaqaqi, the Secretary-General of the Islamic Jihad Movement, was assassinated by Mossad in 1995. He was succeeded by Ramadan Abdullah Shalah (d. 2020), who played a key role in enhancing the political dynamism of the movement. When Shalah fell ill, Ziyad al-Nakhalah was appointed as Secretary-General in 2018.

Principles and Objectives

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad has defined core principles for itself, centered on Islam as the foundation of its beliefs and actions. It views the entire land of Palestine as an Islamic and Arab territory and strictly forbids recognizing the Zionist regime's presence on this land. PIJ considers Israel's presence in Palestine as an occupation that seeks to dominate and dissolve Islamic territory. Consequently, any action that recognizes the Zionist regime is deemed absolutely unacceptable.

The main objectives of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad are the complete liberation of Palestine, the destruction of the Zionist regime, and the establishment of an Islamic government. Other goals of the movement include preparing the Palestinian people for military and political struggle, organizing Muslims worldwide and encouraging them to fulfill their duties toward Palestine, seeking to unify Islamic efforts regarding Palestine, strengthening ties with Islamic and liberation movements, and promoting Islam and its doctrines.

Ziyad Nukhala's meeting with Isma'il Haniya, the leaders of Jihad and Hamas in Egypt.

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad maintains political and military cooperation with the Hamas movement. However, it does not have good relations with the Palestinian Liberation Organization due to the latter's secular approach and its willingness to compromise with and recognize Israel.

Resistance against Occupation

Al-Quds Brigades (Saraya al-Quds in Arabic) is the military and security wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, established in the mid-1980s. Before adopting this name, they were known as the Islamic Mujahid Forces and, prior to that, as Kata'ib Sayf al-Islam. The Al-Quds Brigades represent the largest military force in Gaza after the military wing of Hamas.

Israel has assassinated several commanders of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, including Fathi Shaqaqi (1995), Isam Barahama (1992), Hani Abed (1994), Mahmud al-Khaja (1995), Mahmud Tawaliba (2002), Mahmud al-Zamta (2003), Bashir al-Dabish (2004), Khalid al-Dahduh (2006), Danial Mansour (2014), and Hisam Abu Harbid (2021), who was the commander of the military wing, Al-Quds Brigades.

Operations

The military wing of the Islamic Jihad Movement carried out numerous operations against the Israeli occupation, including Bayt Lid, Dizengoff, Kfar Darom, Netzarim, eastern Jabalia, Morag, and Basha'ir al-Intisar.

1987 Palestinian Intifada

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad played an active role in the First Palestinian Intifada (1987), with 'Abd al-'Aziz Awda's speeches at the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Mosque being a significant factor in sparking the uprising. During the Second Intifada (2000), Israel identified Ramadan Abdullah as a key figure behind many anti-Israeli operations. The significant contributions of the military forces of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad are considered the main reason Israel has assassinated many of the movement's commanders.

Participation in Al-Aqsa Flood

Main article: Al-Aqsa Flood

According to some European media, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad also played a role in the Al-Aqsa Flood operation, which was launched on October 7, 2023, in response to numerous Israeli actions. The operation resulted in the deaths of 1,400 Israelis and the capture of several hundred others. The movement announced that it had taken over 30 Israeli captives and would only release them through a prisoner swap.

Several countries, including the United States, Britain, Canada, and Japan, as well as the European Union, have designated the Palestinian Islamic Jihad as a terrorist organization.

Influence from the Islamic Revolution of Iran

Since its establishment, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad has been influenced by the ideology of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, led by Imam Khomeini. This ideology emphasizes that only Islam and its doctrines form the foundation of jihad and Islamic unity. Before founding the movement, Fathi Shaqaqi published a book titled Al-Khomeini: al-hall al-Islami wa-l-badil (Khomeini as the Islamic Solution and Alternative), which led to his imprisonment by the Egyptian government. Shaqaqi believed that Imam Khomeini’s ideas and revolution provided the best alternative to other approaches for achieving the objectives of the Islamic world, particularly the liberation of Palestine. Due to its support for Imam Khomeini and his ideas, and its emphasis on Shia-Sunni unity, the Islamic Jihad Movement was accused of being Shia. To refute these claims, the movement has repeatedly emphasized its commitment to the principles of Sunni Islam.

Khaled al-Batsh, a member of the political bureau of the Islamic Jihad Movement, asserts that Iran is the movement's greatest supporter and a key ally of the Palestinian resistance. He highlighted Iran's assistance to the movement in various areas, including political support, financial aid, military equipment, and training. According to the Center for Arab Political Studies, the movement maintained neutrality during the Syrian civil war (beginning in 2011) and the Arab coalition's attacks on the Ansar Allah movement in Yemen (starting in 2015), which resulted in strained relations with Iran.

Television Network

The satellite TV network Palestine Today (Falastin al-Yawm) is affiliated with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and is headquartered in Gaza. Due to financial difficulties, the network's office in Quds was closed in 2015, and staff at its other offices were laid off. The network's office in the West Bank was closed by Israel in 2016.

See Also

• Hamas