The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) is another Palestinian militant organization that operates primarily in the Gaza Strip and to a lesser extent in the West Bank, as well as having a presence in Lebanon and Syria. It was founded in the late 1970s as a radical offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, and its primary goal is the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and the liberation of all historic Palestine, including Israel.
Like Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad is considered a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States, Canada, the European Union, and other countries. It is known for conducting attacks against Israeli civilian and military targets and has been involved in numerous violent incidents over the years.
The PIJ is ideologically similar to Hamas, advocating for armed resistance against Israel and rejecting any negotiations or compromises in achieving its objectives. However, it’s distinct from Hamas and operates as a separate entity with its own leadership and organizational structure. The group receives political and financial support from Iran, which contributes to its continued influence and activities in the region. It often works hand-in-hand with Hamas in carrying out terror attacks against Israel from Gaza.