A Palestinian resistance movement and paramilitary organization (Harakat al-Jihad al-Islami fi Filastin) founded in 1981 by Palestinian students in Egypt as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood that aims to establish a sovereign Islamic Palestinian state in all of historic Palestine.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) advocates the use of armed campaigns for the liberation of Palestine, launching its first military attack in 1984. Its active armed wing is called Al-Quds Brigades, also known as “Saraya.” It allies closely with Iran. Unlike the far larger movement Hamas, PIJ rejects the political process, refusing to acknowledge the legitimacy of the Palestinian Authority (PA), participate in Palestinian elections, or engage in any peace talks. At first, PIJ operated in the Gaza Strip, but eventually spread to the West Bank as well, with particular concentration in the cities of Hebron and Jenin. It also has leadership in Lebanon and Syria. It saw a particular surge in activity following the outbreak of the Second Intifada. Its operations have been among the deadliest for Israel, and many of its leaders have been targeted for assassination.