Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades

Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades
كَتَائِبُ الشَّهِيدِ عِزِّ الدِّينِ الْقَسَّامِ
LeadersMohammed Deif
Marwan Issa
Political leaderIsmail Haniyeh
SpokespersonAbu Obaida
Dates of operation1991–present
HeadquartersGaza Strip
Active regions Palestine
 Israel
 Lebanon
IdeologyPalestinian self-determination
Sunni Islamism
Anti-Zionism
Palestinian nationalism
Notable attacksMehola Junction bombing, Sbarro restaurant suicide bombing, Matza restaurant suicide bombing, Patt Junction bus bombing, Kiryat Menachem bus bombing
Part of Hamas
Allies
Opponents
Battles and warsSecond Intifada, Gaza War (2008–2009), Israel–Hamas war
Designated as a terrorist group byEU, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States
Websitewww.alqassam.ps

The Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades (Arabic: كَتَائِبُ عِزِّ الدِّينِ الْقَسَّامِ), usually shortened to Al-Qassam Brigades, is the military wing of the Palestinian Sunni Islamist political organisation Hamas. They operate in the Gaza Strip and are responsible for various military activities, including rocket attacks against Israel. The group was founded in the late 1980s and is named after Izz ad-Din al-Qassam, a Syrian Muslim preacher and nationalist leader who played a role in the Arab anti-colonial struggle in the early 20th century. The Brigades have been involved in conflicts with Israel.

Al-Qassam spokesperson, Abu Obaida stated in a public speech in 2023 during the Israeli war on Gaza that 85% of their recruits are orphans who wish for revenge whose parents were killed by the Israeli Forces.

The leader of the Al-Qassam Brigades, is Izz al-Din al-Haddad (as of 2025's second quarter).

Notes

  1. 1 2 Also spelled "Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades" or "Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades"

References

  1. ↑
    • "Understanding Islamism" Archived 7 March 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Cris is Group Middle East/North Africa Report N°37, 2 March 2005.
    • "The New Hamas: Between Resistance and Participation". Middle East Report. Graham Usher, 21 August 2005.
    • "Hamas leader condemns Islamist charity blacklist". Reuters. 23 August 2007. Archived from the original on 5 February 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2009.
    • Hider, James (12 October 2007). "Islamist leader hints at Hamas pull-out from Gaza". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 5 August 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2009.
    • "Council on Foreign Relations". Council on Foreign Relations. Archived from the original on 22 May 2010. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  2. ↑ "Hamas leader in Gaza: Ties with Iran now 'fantastic'; we're preparing battle for 'Liberation of Palestine'". Times of Israel. 28 August 2017. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  3. ↑ "On Sanctioning of Four Financial Facilitators for Hamas – United States Department of State". Archived from the original on 9 August 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  4. ↑ Young, Benjamin (20 May 2021). "How North Korea supports Palestine and aided Hamas". North Korea News. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  5. ↑ "Hamas arrests Salafi sheikh in Gaza over IS ties". Agence France-Presse. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  6. ↑ "Thousands in Palestine mourn slain wife, baby of Hamas commander". The Straits Times. 20 August 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  7. ↑ "85% of the members of their unit are orphans who lost their relatives in the war". INF News. Retrieved 20 March 2024.[permanent dead link]
  8. ↑ https://www.aftenposten.no/verden/i/zAK4qK/izz-al-din-al-haddad-er-ny-militaer-leder-for-hamas. Retrieved 2025-06-09