entity

Palestinian Islamic Jihad

Also known as: PIJ

Entities (4)

Hamas

Hamas

Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad are both identified as key components of Iran's proxy network, receiving consistent financial, military, and training support from the IRGC-QF as described in [1], [2], and [3]. They are frequently grouped together in international sanctions and security assessments, such as those by the U.S. government, due to their shared opposition to Israel and their role in regional conflict [4], [5], and [6]. — 23 supporting facts

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Hezbollah

Hezbollah

Hezbollah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad are both identified as key components of Iran's regional proxy network [1], [2], [3]. They are frequently grouped together as targets of U.S. sanctions [4], [5], [6], [7], [8] and are both cited as Tehran-backed groups that conduct attacks against Israel [9], [10], [11], [12]. — 13 supporting facts

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Houthi movement

Houthi movement

The Houthi movement and Palestinian Islamic Jihad are related as they are both identified as key components of Iran's regional proxy network and 'shadow army' supported by the IRGC-QF, as documented in [1], [2], [3], [4], and [5]. Furthermore, both organizations are explicitly listed together in CSIS estimates of Iranian partner force strength in [6] and [7]. — 6 supporting facts

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IRGC-QF

IRGC-QF

The IRGC-QF is related to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad because it has provided aid and support to the organization, as explicitly stated in [1] and [2]. — 4 supporting facts

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Facts (43)

Sources

Iran's Islamist Proxies in the Middle East - Wilson Center wilsoncenter.org Ashley Lane · Wilson Center Sep 12, 2023 19 facts

claimThe U.S. Treasury and State Departments sanctioned Palestinian Islamic Jihad Secretary General Ziyad al Nakhalah in 2014 for his involvement in terrorist attacks against Israel.

claimThe U.S. Treasury and State Departments sanctioned Palestinian Islamic Jihad Secretary General Ramadan Shallah in 1995 for disrupting the Middle East peace process.

claimThe U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned the Martyrs Foundation in 2007 for providing financial support to Hezbollah, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

claimThe United States sanctioned Palestinian Islamic Jihad in 1995 for disrupting the Middle East peace process and designated the group as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 1997 for committing terrorist acts that threaten U.S. interests and national security.

claimPalestinian Islamic Jihad is a Sunni Islamist militant group based in Gaza that has been funded, trained, and armed by Iran since the late 1980s.

measurementThe George W. Bush administration (2001–2009) sanctioned three groups (Hezbollah, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad) and 14 leaders.

quote"The Palestinian Islamic Jihad is another fruit of the Ayatollah Khomeini’s fructuous tree."

claimIran cut off funding to Palestinian Islamic Jihad in May 2015 because the group did not support Tehran’s involvement in Yemen, but Iran renewed funding to the group in May 2016.

claimThe U.S. Treasury and State Departments sanctioned Palestinian Islamic Jihad Deputy Secretary General Muhammad al Hindi in 2019 for committing acts of terrorism that threaten U.S. interests and national security.

measurementThe Clinton administration (1993–2001) sanctioned three groups (Hezbollah, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad) and six leaders.

claimAlthough Palestinian Islamic Jihad is based in Damascus, the group has long maintained an office in Tehran.

measurementThe U.S. State Department reported in 2020 that Iran has provided more than $100 million annually to Palestinian groups, including Hamas and Palestine Islamic Jihad.

measurementIran provided more than $100 million annually to Palestinian groups, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, according to a 2020 report by the U.S. State Department.

claimThe U.S. Treasury and State Departments sanctioned Palestinian Islamic Jihad co-founder and ideological leader Abd al Aziz Awda in 1995 for disrupting the Middle East peace process.

measurementIran has historically provided $100 million annually to Palestinian groups, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

claimThe United States designated Bank Saderat in 2006 for facilitating the transfer of hundreds of millions of dollars annually to Hezbollah, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

claimThe U.S. Treasury and State Departments sanctioned Palestinian Islamic Jihad Higher Military Council member Baha Abu al Ata in 2019 for committing acts of terrorism that threaten U.S. interests and national security.

claimThe U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned the Elehssan Society in 2005 for serving as a charitable front and providing financing for Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

claimThe Clinton administration was the first to sanction Iran's proxies, specifically designating Hezbollah, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in 1995.

War by Proxy: Iran's Growing Footprint in the Middle East - CSIS csis.org CSIS Mar 11, 2019 10 facts

claimThe IRGC-QF has provided aid to the Afghan Taliban, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Hamas, though Iran's relationships with these groups are complicated.

claimYaakov Lappin reported in The Algemeiner on June 8, 2017, that Palestinian Islamic Jihad is Iran's 'preferred proxy' and is actively arming in Gaza.

claimIran's proxy network includes Sunni organizations, such as the Taliban in Afghanistan and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Palestinian territory.

claimYaakov Lappin wrote an article titled 'Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Iran’s ‘Preferred Proxy,’ Arming in Gaza' for The Algemeiner on June 8, 2017, characterizing Palestinian Islamic Jihad as Iran's preferred proxy.

claimForces supported by the IRGC-QF include Lebanese Hezbollah, the Hashd al-Sha’abi in Iraq (specifically the Badr Organization, Kata’ib Hezbollah, and Asaib Ahl al-Haq), militia forces in Syria, the Houthis in Yemen, Liwa Fatemiyoun from Afghanistan, Liwa Zainabyoun from Pakistan, and groups in Palestinian territory such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

claimForces supported by the IRGC-QF include Lebanese Hezbollah, the Hashd al-Sha’abi in Iraq (including the Badr Organization, Kata’ib Hezbollah, and Asaib Ahl al-Haq), militia forces in Syria, the Houthis in Yemen, Liwa Fatemiyoun from Afghanistan, Liwa Zainabyoun from Pakistan, and groups in Palestinian territory such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

referenceThe CSIS estimate of Iranian proxy and partner force strength includes the following groups: Asaib Ahl al-Haq, Badr Organization, Kata’ib Hezbollah, Lebanese Hezbollah, the Houthis, Liwa Fatemiyoun, Liwa Zainabyoun, Al-Aqsa Brigade, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

referenceThe CSIS estimate of Iranian proxy and partner force strength in 2018 included the following groups: Asaib Ahl al-Haq, Badr Organization, Kata’ib Hezbollah, Lebanese Hezbollah, the Houthis, Liwa Fatemiyoun, Liwa Zainabyoun, Al-Aqsa Brigade, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

claimIran's proxy network includes both Shia and Sunni organizations, such as the Taliban in Afghanistan and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Palestinian territory.

claimThe IRGC-QF has provided aid to the Afghan Taliban, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Hamas, though Iran's relationships with these organizations are complicated.

Iran's Proxy Strategy and the Extent of Surrogate Autonomy - AHS alexanderhamiltonsociety.org Alexander Hamilton Society 5 facts

perspectiveThe author argues that Iran's sponsorship of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) demonstrates the political nature of Middle Eastern conflict rather than a sectarian one, noting that these groups are Sunni.

claimIran utilizes a "pay-for-performance" approach to sponsorship with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), which provides Iran with a degree of power as the group seeks to establish itself as the most radical faction in the Gaza Strip.

claimIran sponsors Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in Gaza.

claimPalestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) has remained loyal to Iran but faced criticism from its supporters due to Iran's role in the Syrian conflict.

claimIran maintains a cooperative principal-agent relationship with Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).

The path forward on Iran and its proxy forces - Brookings Institution brookings.edu Brookings Mar 1, 2024 4 facts

claimBoth Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas have enabled the proliferation of violent resistance among Palestinians by nurturing smaller affiliated cells of violent rejectionists.

claimHamas emerged in the 1980s as a significant opponent of Palestinian-Israeli peacemaking and has received Iranian funding and arms supplies, despite historically maintaining more distance from Tehran than Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

claimPalestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) is a Sunni group that combined Muslim Brotherhood doctrine with an affinity for the Iranian revolution, making it a partner for Tehran in efforts to oppose U.S.-led peace initiatives between Israelis and Palestinians.

claimRelations between Iran and both Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) became strained when Iran mobilized Shia groups from across the region to fight on behalf of Bashar al-Assad in Syria.

Iran's Regional Armed Network - Council on Foreign Relations cfr.org Kali Robinson, Will Merrow · Council on Foreign Relations 2 facts

claimIsrael faces regular attacks from Tehran-backed groups, specifically Hamas, Hezbollah, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, all of which oppose the existence of the Jewish state.

claimIsrael faces regular attacks from Iran-backed groups, specifically Hamas, Hezbollah, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which oppose the existence of the Jewish state.

Twenty questions (and expert answers) about the Iran war atlanticcouncil.org Atlantic Council Mar 11, 2026 2 facts

claimIran's proxy network includes Lebanese Hezbollah, Palestinian militant organizations such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Shia militias in Iraq and Syria, and Yemen’s Houthi movement.

claimIran maintains a network of non-state armed organizations across the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, including Lebanese Hezbollah, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Shia militias in Iraq and Syria, and the Houthi movement in Yemen.

Iran's 'Axis of Resistance': The proxy forces shaping Mideast conflicts latimes.com Los Angeles Times Mar 1, 2026 1 fact

claimPalestinian Islamic Jihad is a more direct Iranian proxy than Hamas in both Gaza and the West Bank.