The Factions in Gaza: A Comprehensive Overview.
- Bernard M
- May 4, 2023
- 2 min read
The Israel-Palestine conflict is one of the oldest and most complex conflicts in the world and it has been the cause of much strife and suffering in the region. In particular, the Gaza Strip has been the center of much of the conflict, with many factions vying for control and influence in the region. In this article, we will explore the various factions that exist in Gaza and their roles in the conflict.
Introduction to Gaza and the Factions
The Gaza Strip is a small Palestinian territory located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It has been the center of a long-standing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian people for many years. The Gaza Strip is home to several factions, each with its agenda and goals. To gain a better understanding, we will explore the dominating factions in Gaza and how they affect the region.
The Gaza Strip is divided into factions united in their “opposition to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land.” The various groups in Gaza run the gamut of political ideologies, from Islamist groups to left-wing secularists.
The factions in Gaza have a wide range of political power, ranging from complete control of the Gaza Strip to limited influence over certain areas. To understand the various factions in Gaza, it is paramount to have a basic understanding of the conflict in the region and the different factions involved.
Hamas
Hamas is a Palestinian Islamist, political, and militant group founded in 1987. The group is the de facto governing authority in the Gaza Strip and is widely considered the region’s largest and most influential faction. Hamas has a long history of violence against Israel and is regarded as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.
They are committed to establishing an independent Palestinian state and removing Israel from the region. The group has been involved in numerous terrorist attacks against Israeli targets and has also been responsible for thousands of rocket attacks against Israel. Additionally, as leaders of the militant enclave, Hamas has participated in humanitarian initiatives, including the construction of hospitals, schools, and infrastructure projects.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ)
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) is a Palestinian Sunni Islamist militant group founded in 1981. It is committed to the destruction of Israel and establishing an Islamic state in the Palestinian territories. The group has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, and several other influential countries.
The PIJ is known for its attacks against Israeli civilians and military targets. These attacks include suicide bombings, rocket attacks, and other forms of violence. Some of the most notorious attacks carried out by the PIJ are the 1994 suicide bombing of a bus in the city of Afula, which killed eight people, and the 1995 suicide bombing in the Israeli coastal city of Netanya, which killed five people. The group has also been responsible for numerous rocket attacks against Israeli towns, causing death, injury, and widespread panic among the population.
In order to conduct its attacks on Israel, the PIJ is known for occasionally collaborating with Hamas, though their relationship is often strained. The PIJ has received financial and military support from Iran, which has allowed the group to sustain its operations and carry out attacks against Israel.
Despite its violent tactics, the PIJ operates some social and humanitarian initiatives in the Palestinian territories, including constructing schools, hospitals, and infrastructure projects. However, these initiatives are often overshadowed by the group’s violent actions and the human rights abuses committed by its members.
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) is a Palestinian Marxist-Leninist political and militant group founded in 1967. It was one of the first groups to emerge in the aftermath of the Six-Day War and has played a significant role in the history of the Palestinian resistance movement. The PFLP is committed to the establishment of a secular, democratic state in the Palestinian territories and the elimination of Israel.
The PFLP is best known for its involvement in multiple high-profile attacks and hijackings in the late 1960s and early 1970s. These include hijacking several international airliners and the 1972 Lod airport massacre, in which 26 people were killed. The group has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, and several other countries.
Despite its decline in recent decades, the PFLP remains active in the Palestinian territories and has carried out several attacks against Israeli targets. The group is also involved in internal Palestinian politics and is a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
In addition to its militant activities, the PFLP operates a number of social and humanitarian initiatives in the Palestinian territories, including providing health care and education services to marginalized communities. However, these initiatives are often overshadowed by the group’s violent actions and the human rights abuses committed by its members.
Fatah al-Intifada
Fatah al-Intifada is a Palestinian political and militant group founded in the late 1980s. The group is a faction of Fatah, the largest political party in the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), and is active in the Gaza Strip.
Fatah al-Intifada is known for its involvement in many attacks against Israeli targets, including rocket attacks and the use of other forms of weaponry. The group has been responsible for several incidents in which rockets have been fired into Israel from the Gaza Strip, causing damage and injury to civilians. Fatah al-Intifada has been linked to a number of other violent incidents in the region, including the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) against Israeli targets.
In recent years, Fatah al-Intifada has been largely overshadowed by other Palestinian militant groups, such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which have taken center stage in the conflict with Israel. However, the group remains active in the Gaza Strip and continues to play a role in the ongoing conflict.
Al-Aqsa Martyr Brigades
The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades is a coalition of Palestinian armed groups that emerged during the second Intifada in 2000. The group operates primarily in the West Bank and is affiliated with the Fatah movement, although the relationship has varied over time.
The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades is committed to liberating Palestine and establishing an independent Palestinian state. It is known for its opposition to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and its use of violence against Israeli targets. The group has been involved in a number of attacks, including suicide bombings, shootings, rocket fire, and other forms of terrorism. In terms of rocket fire, it was known for firing missiles at Tel Aviv during the 2022 conflict.
The group has been designated as a terrorist organization by Israel, the European Union, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States. Some of its notable members include Raed Al-Karmi, Zakaria Zubeidi, and Samih Madhoun.
In recent years, the influence and activity of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades have diminished due to internal divisions, Israeli crackdowns, and political changes within Fatah. However, it still plays a part in conflicts and occasionally carries out attacks.
Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP)
The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) is a Palestinian political and militant group founded in 1969. The group is one of several factions within the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and is active in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
The DFLP is committed to establishing a democratic, secular, and socialist state in Palestine and is known for its opposition to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories. The group has been involved in a number of attacks against Israeli targets, including the use of rockets and other forms of weaponry.
In the past, the DFLP has been responsible for high-profile attacks against Israeli targets, including the massacre at a school in Ma’alot in 1974, in which 25 Israelis were killed. The group has also been involved in a few hijackings of airplanes and other bold acts of terrorism.
In recent years, the DFLP’s influence has vastly diminished, becoming less active in the conflict with Israel. However, the group remains committed to the Palestinian resistance movement and continues to play a role in the ongoing conflict.
Palestinian Liberation Front (PLF)
The Palestinian Liberation Front (PLF) is a militant organization based in the Gaza Strip and is one of the most prominent Palestinian militant groups active today. The PLF is primarily known for its commitment to armed resistance against the Israeli occupation and its involvement in several major attacks against Israel.
The PLF’s primary weapon of choice has been rocket attacks, most notably during the 2014 Gaza War. During this conflict, the PLF launched numerous rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel, resulting in widespread destruction and casualties. The rockets were primarily short-range Grad rockets, though some more extended-range M-302 rockets were also used.
In addition to rocket attacks, the PLF is also known for its use of guerrilla warfare tactics, employing roadside bombs, small arms and light weapons, and other types of ambushes. The PLF also employs suicide bombers and other dangerous tactics in its fight against Israel.
The PLF has also been known to youse various weapons, including AK-47s, M-16s, RPG-7s, and M-60s. The PLF is responsible for numerous attacks against Israeli civilians and military personnel, making them a substantial threat to the security of the state of Israel.
The PLF has been linked to other militant groups in the Middle East, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Despite its bold and highly controversial tactics, the PLF has a political wing that seeks to achieve an independent Palestinian state through peaceful negotiations.
Popular Front - General Command (PF-GC)
The Popular Front - General Command (PFLP-GC) is a Palestinian organization that operates mainly in the Gaza Strip. They have been active since the 1960s and have a more limited presence in Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan.
The PFLP-GC is widely considered a radical organization and has been involved in many terrorist attacks, including bombings, rocket attacks, and other forms of violence. They were active in the recent clashes between Israel and Gaza.
The PFLP-GC is known for using rockets and other weaponry in its attacks. Its most famous attack was using Katyusha rockets, which targeted Israeli cities. Additionally, it also uses anti-tank missiles, mortars, and other weapons.
In recent years, the PFLP-GC has been used as a proxy by other radical organizations, such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad, to carry out attacks in Gaza. They are also known to be closely connected to Iran, receiving funding and weapons from the country.
The PFLP-GC is seen as a major threat to peace in the region and has been criticized by the international community for its involvement in terrorist activities. As such, it was designated a terrorist organization by the United States, United Nations, and European Union.
The Popular Resistance Committee (PRC)
The Popular Resistance Committee (PRC) is a militant organization in the Gaza Strip responsible for many attacks against Israel. It was founded in 2000, following the start of the second Intifada, and is composed of several militant factions from across the political gamut.
The PRC has been active in launching rocket attacks against Israel and has been accused of carrying out suicide bombings and other attacks in and out of the Gaza Strip. The PRC has also used a variety of weaponry in its operations, including mortars, rocket-propelled grenades, and anti-tank missiles. In addition, the group has been known to possess a more sophisticated arsenal, including explosive devices, rockets, and missiles.
They have been active in organizing and leading protests in the Gaza Strip and have been major participants in the Great March of Return protests since 2018. The group has also been a significant player in the armed conflict between Israel and Hamas and has been a vocal critic of the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip.
In recent years, the PRC has become increasingly well-organized, successfully carrying out attacks against Israeli troops and settlements in the region. It has also been involved in several other operations against Israel, including kidnapping Israeli soldiers and abducting foreign nationals.
The PRC has been designated a terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. As a result, it is subject to sanctions and other measures to limit its activities.
The Salafist Jihadists
The Salafist Jihadists in Gaza are a small but growing extremist group active in the Gaza Strip. The group is a part of the broader Salafist-Jihadist movement, characterized by its strict interpretation of Sunni Islam and its commitment to global jihad.
In the Gaza Strip, the Salafist Jihadists have been responsible for a number of attacks against both Israeli and Palestinian targets. The group has been known to launch rocket attacks into Israeli territory, causing damage and injury to civilians. The Salafist Jihadists have also been involved in clashes with other Palestinian factions, including Hamas, which they view as too moderate.
In recent years, the Salafist Jihadists in Gaza have grown in influence and have gained a reputation for their hard-line stance and willingness to use violence. The group has been involved in recruiting new members and has been known to use social media and other forms of propaganda to spread its message.
The Mujahideen Movement
The Mujahideen Movement is a Palestinian militant group formed in Gaza in 2006. They are a Sunni Islamist group with strong ties to al-Qaeda and have conducted numerous attacks on Israeli soldiers and civilians.
In terms of weaponry, the Mujahideen Movement is most famous for its rocket attacks, which they have been carrying out since 2006. They have fired thousands of rockets into Israel, intending to cause significant damage. In addition to the rockets, they possess various other weapons, such as explosives, machine guns, and even tanks.
The Mujahideen Movement has also been involved in other acts of violence, such as suicide bombings and car bombings, and is known to use human shields in some of its attacks. The group is also known to carry out kidnappings and has been linked to several high-profile kidnappings.
Overall, the Mujahideen Movement is a Sunni Islamist militant group that has launched numerous attacks on Israel over the years, primarily through rockets and other weapons. They are a particularly dangerous group and have been involved in a number of violent acts, including suicide bombings and kidnappings.
(Army of Islam) Jaysh Al-Islam
Jaysh Al-Islam, also known as the Army of Islam, is a Sunni extremist group that operates in the Gaza Strip and is considered a terrorist organization by several countries, including Israel and the United States. The group is known for its involvement in kidnappings, attacks against Israeli and Palestinian targets, and its hard-liner stance against Israel.
Jaysh Al-Islam was formed in 2005 and is believed to have links to Al-Qaeda and Hamas.
In terms of weaponry, Jaysh Al-Islam is believed to have access to a variety of weapons, including small arms, rockets, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The group has been responsible for many rocket attacks against Israel and has been involved in several clashes with Israeli and Palestinian security forces.
Jaysh Al-Islam is considered a relatively small and obscure group, but it has been able to carry out significant attacks in the past. It has demonstrated a willingness to use violence to further its political goals. The group’s hard-line stance and its ties to regional extremist networks have made it a concern for security forces in the region.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Gaza Strip is home to several political and militant groups with unique goals and ideologies. From Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad to smaller and lesser-known factions like the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, these groups have a long history of violence and conflict with Israel. The situation in the Gaza Strip remains complex and volatile, and the actions of these factions continue to play a significant role in the ongoing conflict in the region. By becoming informed about these various factions operating in the Gaza Strip, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of the complex political and social dynamics driving acts of terror and violence. It is through education and awareness that we can work towards creating a more peaceful and stable future.
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