It is widely understood that Hamas is not the sole armed faction operating in the Gaza Strip. Across the territory, multiple militias have pursued their own objectives, with public statements signaling a broad aim to counter Israel. In the wake of turmoil and fighting, several groups have reported detaining Israeli citizens during cross-border incidents. Among these factions, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, along with smaller or lesser-known brigades, maintain Islamist leanings and share the overarching goal of opposing the State of Israel.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad
Last May, Islamic Jihad fighters drew attention by launching hundreds of rockets from Gaza into Israel in response to the death of a Palestinian prisoner on hunger strike. Some observers suggest Hamas filtered resources and reinforcements for a major operation on October 7. Islamic Jihad is widely regarded as a seasoned group, with more years of experience in the region than some others, and has cooperated with the de facto authorities in Gaza since 2007. The operation known as Masjid al-Aqsa Flood involved the capture of hostages, with at least 30 Israeli captives reported. When Hamas and Israel agreed to a ceasefire in exchange for prisoner releases, Islamic Jihad signaled it would not participate in the release plan.
Statements from allied groups underscore the intensity of the conflict; for instance, an allied militia asserted that Palestinian detainees would not see freedom while hostages remained captive. In the region, Qatar has played a mediating role, with officials urging restraint and caution about the terms of any ceasefire.
Comments followed by regional leaders who said Hamas must locate the remaining hostages, while noting that the exact numbers and locations were not yet clear. Although Hamas and Islamic Jihad share opposition to Israel, the two groups differ in origin and organizational focus. Hamas operates as a political movement with an armed wing that governs Gaza, while Islamic Jihad functions more as an independent militant faction with strong ties to Iran and a primary emphasis on armed resistance rather than administration.
Al Nasser Salah al Din Brigades
According to major outlets, Mujahideen Brigades and the Al Nasser Salah al Din Brigades claimed involvement in the October 7 events and the subsequent hostage situation. In videos and communications from that period, multiple groups displayed their emblems and indicated participation in the operations. Hamas has repeatedly stressed the importance of unity among armed factions, especially when presenting a common stance against Israel. In the days after October 7, a number of groups published material showing their involvement, with others issuing statements through messaging apps.
The Al Nasser Salah al Din Brigades is known as the military arm of the Popular Resistance Committees, a coalition of Palestinian groups active in Gaza. This bloc is identified with an Islamist orientation and has historically been connected to security structures in Gaza. It has been reported as part of the broader network that contributed to the 2006 events surrounding the capture of an Israeli soldier and the subsequent conflict. Some observers note that the Brigades were involved in operations that aligned with the broader campaign against Israeli forces.
Mujahideen Brigades
One group that publicly confirmed hostage involvement is the Mujahideen Brigades. The term mujahid refers to someone who undertakes a personal religious struggle, and in Western contexts it is often associated with hardline militant activity. Transnational observers have described the Brigades as responsible for rocket attacks against Israel and as cooperating with other factions on the ground. In this period, Hamas is focused on locating captives and addressing the broader challenge of civilian and security concerns following the October 7 events. The ongoing tensions and occasional interruptions in communication have complicated efforts to resolve the hostage crisis, with many waiting for word on the captives and a potential path to release.