Palestinian Islamic Jihad
Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) is a Sunni Islamist terror organization and Iranian proxy dedicated to the destruction of Israel. As of August 2026, its military infrastructure in Gaza has been largely dismantled, and its leadership in Judea and Samaria has faced systematic neutralization, though it remains a key ideological component of the Iranian-led axis.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) is the second-largest armed faction in the Gaza Strip and a primary kinetic tool for the Iranian regime's regional strategy. Founded in 1981, the organization rejects political compromise and focuses exclusively on militant activity to establish an Islamic state in place of Israel. Unlike Hamas, PIJ does not maintain a significant social welfare network or govern territory, operating instead as a dedicated paramilitary force. Following the October 7, 2023 massacre, in which PIJ operatives participated in the infiltration and abduction of Israeli civilians, the organization has been a central target of the IDF's multi-front campaign. By August 2026, The Zioneer Intelligence Desk reports that the majority of PIJ's military capabilities in the Gaza Strip have been destroyed. This includes the elimination of senior Nukhba commanders such as Ali Qaid Mohammed Stitan and Talal Jaber Mohammad Abd al-Aal, both of whom were involved in the initial atrocities and the subsequent holding of hostages. Most recently, the IDF and Shin Bet confirmed the elimination of Zaher Brahim Khalil Abu Salem, an October 7 infiltrator who continued to pose an active threat in northern Gaza. In Judea and Samaria, the IDF has systematically dismantled PIJ terror camps in hotspots like Jenin and Tulkarm, which previously served as launchpads for attacks against Israeli civilians and security forces. Despite these losses, PIJ remains a key component of the 'Axis of Resistance.' High-level delegations, including Secretary-General Ziad al-Nakhalah, recently attended the funeral of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran. However, recent reports indicate a potential shift in the group's posture, with PIJ reportedly agreeing to a disarmament framework proposed by the Board of Peace as part of an international stabilization plan for Gaza. The organization's survival is currently tied to Iranian efforts to rebuild its infrastructure in the face of sustained Israeli pressure and the collapse of the broader regional proxy network.