Recent events have escalated tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, drawing attention to the Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine (PIJ). Following a series of violent confrontations, including rocket fire from Gaza and retaliatory airstrikes by Israel, the group has rejected proposals for a truce, demanding a complete cessation of Israeli military actions before engaging in discussions about hostages. Demonstrations in support of the group have also taken place, with protesters rallying in multiple locations and calling for accountability regarding the ongoing conflict.
Founded in the late 1970s, the Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine is a militant Islamist organization that seeks to establish an Islamic state in historic Palestine. It is primarily based in Damascus, Syria, and is known for its opposition to both Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The group has been involved in numerous attacks against Israeli targets and is considered a terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States and the European Union. Unlike Hamas, which has a political wing, Islamic Jihad focuses primarily on armed resistance and has maintained a more ideologically rigid stance against negotiations with Israel.