Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) -- Founding Group

Al-Qassam, al-Quds Battalions, Jerusalem Battalions, Jerusalem Brigades, Sayf al-Islam Brigades

<a href="terrorist_organizations_by_country.asp?id=IS">Israel</a>, <a href="terrorist_organizations_by_country.asp?id=LE">Lebanon</a>, <a href="terrorist_organizations_by_country.asp?id=SY">Syria</a>, <a href="terrorist_organizations_by_country.asp?id=8">West Bank/Gaza</a>

Iran provides an estimated $2 million of state-sponsored funding to PIJ annually

PIJ remains a relatively small organization with a limited base of support. PIJ remains dedicated to the violent destruction of Israel, shows no interest in joining the political process within the Palestinian territories, and will likely continue its attempts to injure Israel through acts of terrorism by its military wing, the al-Quds Brigades. <br /><p>The construction of security fences by Israel along both the West Bank and Gaza border has made it more difficult for the al-Quds Brigades to execute terrorist attacks in Israel proper. However, Israel's large scale military operation against Hezbollah in the Summer of 2006 triggered an increase in al-Quds Brigades' attacks. On August 2, 2006, they claimed responsibility for a rocket attack that struck an Israeli power plant in Ashkelon in southern Israel. Then on August 14 the al-Quds Brigades, along with other Palestinian terrorist organizations, claimed joint responsibility for setting up an ambush near an Israeli patrol near the southern gate of the Sofa military post.  As such, the al-Quds Brigades and the PIJ as a whole remain a legitimate security threat in both the Palestinian territories as well as Israel proper. <br />

Supported by Amal and possibly Hezbollah.

Questions remain as to the al-Sadr brigade's current objectives. Since a public acknowledgement in 2002 of the Iman's death, the group has issued several conflicting statements calling for al-Sadr's release and urging Hezbollah to assist in seeking retribution against the Libyan government. In addition, the al-Sadr saga is a continuing source of tension in Lebanese-Libyan relations. In spite of recent attempts at reconciliation, Libyan dictator Muammar al-Qaddafi's regime has refused to admit any role in the Iman's disappearance, ensuring the continued enmity of Lebanese Shiites. Thus, future attacks remain a possibility.