Islamic Jihad
Islamic Jihad is a radical Islamist militant organization dedicated to the destruction of Israel and the establishment of an Islamic state. It is the second-largest armed group in the Gaza Strip after Hamas and maintains a significant presence in Judea and Samaria, operating as a primary Iranian proxy in the region.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) is a Sunni militant group that, unlike Hamas, does not participate in political governance, focusing almost exclusively on military and terrorist operations. Founded in the late 1970s, the group is heavily funded, trained, and equipped by Iran, serving as a key component of the 'Axis of Resistance.' Its military wing, Saraya al-Quds (The Al-Quds Brigades), is responsible for thousands of rocket attacks against Israeli civilian centers and numerous shooting and bombing attacks. In recent years, the organization has expanded its infrastructure in northern Judea and Samaria, particularly in Jenin and Tulkarm, often coordinating with other factions while maintaining its distinct ideological commitment to perpetual confrontation with Israel. The IDF frequently targets PIJ leadership to degrade its command-and-control capabilities, as the group's decentralized but lethal cells pose a constant threat to Israeli security on multiple fronts, including Gaza, the West Bank, and occasionally Lebanon. Recent operations in June 2026 have seen the elimination of several high-ranking commanders, including those responsible for anti-tank and rocket arrays, as the IDF continues to dismantle the group's leadership structure in Gaza City.