alQassam

al-Qassam Brigades is the military wing of Hamas, a Palestinian Islamist political organization and militant group based in the Gaza Strip. Named after Sheikh Ahmed Yassin’s mentor, Imam Muhammad al-Qassam, the group was officially established in 2001 following the Second Intifada, though its roots trace back to earlier militant activities in the late 1980s and 1990s. The Brigades are responsible for armed resistance against Israeli military operations in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly in Gaza, and have been designated as a terrorist organization by several Western governments, including the United States and the European Union.

The group operates under Hamas’ broader political and social framework, which seeks the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on all territories captured during the 1948 and 1967 Arab-Israeli wars. al-Qassam Brigades conducts military operations, including rocket attacks on Israeli civilian and military targets, ambushes, and suicide bombings, though their tactics have evolved over time. The group has also engaged in urban warfare during conflicts such as Operation Cast Lead (2008–2009), Operation Pillar of Defense (2012), and the 2014 Gaza War, where it clashed with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

The Brigades are organized into battalions and companies, with a focus on guerrilla warfare, infiltration tactics, and the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). They have also developed more sophisticated missile capabilities, including rockets with extended ranges and precision-guided munitions. Training and recruitment are conducted within Gaza, often targeting disaffected youth and former members of other Palestinian factions.

Internationally, al-Qassam Brigades has faced condemnation for its use of violence against civilians and its classification as a terrorist entity. However, supporters view them as defenders of Palestinian resistance against Israeli occupation. The group has also been involved in regional conflicts, such as the 2023 Israel-Hamas war, which escalated into a major military confrontation between Hamas and Israel, resulting in significant loss of life on both sides.