Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ)

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More than a thousand sympathizers follow the flag-draped coffin of Harkat ul-Mujahideen senior commander Mohammad Farooq during his funeral early Thursday, Oct. 25, 2001 in Karachi. Farooq joined the Jihad, or Holy War, in Afghanistan and was killed in the ongoing military strikes by the U.S. and British forces. A Pakistani militant group confirmed that 22 of its fighters were killed in a U.S. attack on Kabul, the deadliest known strike against a group linked to Osama bin Laden since the air campaign began Oct. 7. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
- Oct 25 3:53 AM ET

                               

  A Palestinian boy holds a toy rifle as he shouts Islamic slogans in Gaza City on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2001, during a demonstration at Al Azhar University which was organized by Islamic Jihad. In a theatrical offering honoring past suicide bombers and activists, the militant Islamic Jihad vowed to continue its suicide attacks and rejected the Palestinian Authority's cease-fire agreement with Israel. (AP Photo/Murad Sezer)
- Oct 24 9:48 AM ET

 

From: Patterns of Global Terrorism. United States Dept. of State Publication # 10321

Description

The PIJ originated among militant Palestinian fundamentalists in the Gaza Strip during the 1970s.

The PIJ is a series of loosely affiliated factions, rather than a cohesive group. The PIJ is committed to the creation of an Islamic Palestinian state and the destruction of Israel through holy war.

Because of its strong support for Israel, the United States has been identified as an enemy of the PIJ. The PIJ also opposes moderate Arab governments that it believes have been tainted by Western secularism.

Activities

The PIJ demonstrated its terrorist credentials when it attacked a tour bus in Egypt in February 1990 and killed 11 people, including nine Israelis. The PIJ also has carried out crossborder raids against Israeli targets in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The PIJ has threatened to attack US interests in Jordan. PIJ agents were arrested in Egypt in September 1991 while attempting to enter the country to conduct terrorism.

PIJ militants have threatened to retaliate against Israel and the United States for the murder of PIJ leader Fathi Shaqaqi in Malta in October 1995. It has carried out suicide bombing attacks against Israeli targets in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Israel.

Strength  Unknown

Location/Area of Operation

Primarily Israel and the occupied territories and other parts of the Middle East, including Jordan and Lebanon. [The largest faction is based in Syria.]

External Aid

Probably receives financial assistance from Iran and possibly some assistance from Syria.