The Islamic Jihad Group: What role do they play in Israel-Palestine conflict, overview of key attacks
This incident has sparked condemnation worldwide and led to violent protests in several Muslim nations. Amidst the chaos, blame for the devastating tragedy is being exchanged between Israel and Palestinians.
US President Joe Biden, who was en route to the Middle East, expressed his profound sorrow and outrage over the incident. As a result, he has made the difficult decision to cancel his planned trip to Jordan.
The Islamic Jihad Group: Origin
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) is designated as a terrorist organisation by the US State Department and is well-known for its uncompromising opposition to the existence of Israel. It was founded by Fathi Shaqaqi and Abd al-Aziz Awda, who were originally members of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood.
The PIJ came into existence because Shaqaqi and Awda believed that the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood was not fully committed to the Palestinian cause. Taking inspiration from the Iranian revolution led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Shaqaqi and Awda created the PIJ with the sole objective of militantly challenging the Israeli state.
The Islamic Jihad Group: Objective
In 1981, the Egyptian government exiled the PIJ to Gaza after the assassination of President Anwar Sadat, as the PIJ had separated from the Muslim Brotherhood.
The PIJ operates as a decentralised organisation, with a primary focus on attacking Israel, setting it apart from other Islamic extremist groups in the region that engage in social, welfare, and political activities. Their first notable attack was in Gaza, where they killed an Israeli military police captain in August 1987, just a few months before the start of the First Palestinian Intifada.
The Islamic Jihad Group: Relationship with Hamas
Later in the same
