In May, Palestinian militias launched hundreds of rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory, a reaction to the death of a Palestinian prisoner who died on a hunger strike. Typically, such actions would point to Hamas, the dominant group that has controlled Gaza since 2007. Yet in this instance, the militant factions chose to refrain from a broad armed response. The soldier’s reaction highlighted a different force: Palestinian Islamic Jihad. This group, older and with more experience than many assume, has stood in the headlines again after Israel accused it of involvement in the Al Ahli Hospital incident in Gaza. The militia denies these accusations. Who is this second-largest militant organization in Gaza? The following outlines key information about Islamic Jihad.
For those who are disappointed
Islamic Jihad traces its roots to the early 1980s, founded by Fethi Shikaki and Abdulaziz Odeh as a vehicle for mobilizing those who felt disillusioned. The group aligned with the Palestine Liberation Organization during its early years and later backed Hamas in the broader struggle. It rejects peace talks and has long stated its aim as the destruction of Israel, distinguishing itself from Gaza’s ruling militias through a more singular focus on military resistance. Estimates cited by the CIA in 2021 suggested the organization could field anywhere from around 1,000 to several thousand armed operatives, and its arsenal is believed to include rockets, mortars, and anti-tank missiles. Islamic Jihad does not publicly disclose full details of its strength or equipment. (Citation: CIA, 2021)
Financed by Iran
Israel’s Shin Bet intelligence service has long noted substantial Iranian support for the two main Gaza militias, including Islamic Jihad and Hamas. Tehran is said to provide rockets, anti-tank weapons, and mortars to these groups, supported by substantial funding. In recent years, Islamic Jihad has maintained formal ties abroad in Beirut and Damascus, with Iran’s backing continuing in various capacities. Although Hamas briefly distanced itself from Tehran over Syria and other regional developments, Islamic Jihad has retained a closer alignment with the Iranian leadership, contributing to its continued operational capabilities. (Citation: Shin Bet, regional assessments, and open-source analyses)
Strained relations with Hamas
While Hamas remains the larger Palestinian faction and has at times supported military actions by allied groups, it also seeks to limit violence to protect the civilian population in Gaza. Hamas faces domestic pressures to preserve resources for residents enduring hardship in what has been described by observers as an enormous humanitarian crisis. In contrast, Islamic Jihad has decisively engaged in military actions when prompted by its leadership, attempting to influence the broader strategic balance with Israel. During the May hostilities, Hamas and Islamic Jihad coordinated to some extent under a shared objective, but the decision-making about war or ceasefire often involved multiple actors rather than a single group. (Citations: regional diplomacy reports, field analyses)
Purpose: Destroy Israel
Founded more than four decades ago, Palestinian Islamic Jihad has consistently maintained its mission to challenge Israeli authority, with a pronounced focus on the Gaza Strip where it retains a strong presence. The group has targeted military and infrastructural nodes in various campaigns, drawing condemnation from Israel, the United States, and several European governments. The long-running conflict has drawn in a broad constellation of regional and international actors, each with their own strategic interests and military considerations. (Citations: security briefings and international analyses)