What is Palestinian Islamic Jihad?

The militant group that is an ally of Hamas and took part in the Oct 7 cross-border attack, denies Israel’s accusations that it is behind a strike on a hospital in Gaza that killed hundreds of people

Ziyad al-Nakhalah
Leader of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ)

OPERATING BASE
PIJ has significan presence in West Bank town of Jenin, as well as leadership in Lebanon and Syria, where it mantains close ties with Iranian officials.
Both Hamas and PIJ get funds and weapons from Tehran
 
ORIGINS
PIJ founded by Palestinian students Fathi Shaqaqi and Abd al-Aziz Awda in Egypt in late 1970s, as offshoot of Muslim Brotherhood
 
IDEOLOGY
PIJ and Hamas share goal of creation of Palestinian state, but PIJ disagrees with statements by Hamas leaders softening commitment to destruction of Israel
Unlike Hamas, PIJ refuses to contest Palestinian elections and appears to have no ambition to form government in Gaza or West Bank

TACTICS AND TARGETS
PIJ’s military wing, al-Quds Brigades, has attacked many Israeli targets since 1990s
PIJ does not have as many long-range rockets as Hamas, but has significant arsenal of small arms, mortars, rockets and anti tank missiles
Strength is difficult to assess, with estimates ranging from 1,000 to several thousand
 

Sources: Reuters, ECFR, BBC Pictures: Newscom, Erfan Kouchari © GRAPHIC NEWS