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What is the Palestinian Jihad?<\/strong><\/p>\n Broadly speaking, PIJ, which is Palestine\u2019s second-largest militant group, is regarded as more extreme in terms of its approach.<\/p>\n Backed by Iran, it is described by the US Director of Intelligence\u2019s counter-terrorism guide as \u201ca Sunni Islamist militant group seeking to establish an Islamist Palestinian state\u201d.<\/p>\n Founded in 1979 as an offshoot of Egypt\u2019s Muslim Brotherhood, its military wing, al-Quds Brigades, has launched multiple attacks on Israeli targets since the 1990s.<\/p>\n While it does sometimes co-ordinate its operations with Hamas, the two groups have a tense relationship stemming from the PIJ\u2019s disapproval of Hamas\u2019s strategy for confronting Israel.<\/p>\n How many members do they have?<\/strong><\/p>\n With a membership estimated to total roughly 1,000, the US Department of State designated it as a foreign terrorist organisation in 1997.<\/p>\n The counter-terrorism guide says: \u201cPIJ primarily employs small-arms and mortar and rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip against Israeli targets in Israel and the West Bank.<\/p>\n \u201cThe group conducted suicide bombings from the late 1990s to the mid-2000s.<\/p>\n \u201cIt also has man-portable air defence systems, mortars, armed unmanned aircraft systems, anti-tank guided missiles, and IEDs.\u201d<\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> What is Hamas?<\/strong><\/p>\n Hamas, Palestine\u2019s ruling political party, was formed in 1987 at the start of the first Palestinian intifada, or uprising.<\/p>\n Its charter demands the establishment of an Islamic Palestinian state in place of Israel, and it rejects all agreements made between the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and Israel.<\/p>\n Its strength is concentrated in the Gaza Strip and areas of the West Bank.<\/p>\n US Director of Intelligence\u2019s counter-terrorism guide explains: \u201cHAMAS has a military wing known as the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades that has conducted many anti-Israel attacks in both Israel and the Palestinian territories since the 1990s.<\/p>\n \u201cThese attacks have included large-scale bombings against Israeli civilian targets, small-arms attacks, improvised roadside explosives, and rocket attacks.\u201d<\/p>\n In early 2006, Hamas won legislative elections in the Palestinian territories, thereby ousting the secular Fatah party\u2019s control of the Palestinian Authority.<\/p>\n Hamas, which is designated by the US Government as a terrorist organisation, has consistently refused to renounce violent resistance against Israel and in early 2008 also carried out a suicide bombing resulting in the death of one civilian, plus numerous rocket and mortar attacks.<\/p>\n The counter-terrorism guide explains: \u201cIn July 2014, the uneasy calm between Hamas and Israel broke down completely after three Israeli teenagers were kidnapped and killed in the West Bank in June – deaths ascribed by Israel to Hamas – and a Palestinian was killed by Israeli settlers in revenge.<\/p>\n \u201cRetaliatory rocket attacks by Hamas\u2019s military wing and other Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip escalated into the longest and most lethal conflict with Israel since 2009.\u201d<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/Gaza-5018923.jpg?r=1697627672309\")
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Kay Burley hit with over 1,500 Ofcom complaints after Israel misquote[ANALYSIS] <\/strong>
Horror audio exposes Hamas panic after Islamic Jihad rocket hits Gaza hospital[PICTURES] <\/strong>
Biden declares Gaza hospital bombing ‘not carried out by Israel'[VIDEO] <\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/Israel-5018913.jpg?r=1697627672360\")
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