GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Within the last month, the Islamic Jihad has organized more than nine rallies in the Gaza Strip in support of the intifada that began in early October in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. In the past, the movement had typically organized rallies with other Palestinian factions, such as Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The current rallies organized independently are not part of a military initiative or a border confrontation, but in fact go beyond any demarcation line of Israeli forces in supporting and energizing the intifada from afar. For instance, one rally was called Hebron Martyrs’ Friday, which is also reflective of the group's adopted practice of individually naming marches held every Friday. 

Khaled al-Batsh, an Islamic Jihad leader, told Al-Monitor, “There is no confrontation along the occupation lines in the Gaza Strip, unlike in the West Bank, as we do not have checkpoints such as Tulkarm and Tarqumia [where confrontations are taking place]. We consider our movement to be political, not military.”

Movement spokesman Daoud Shihab, sitting in his office in Gaza City, said, “It is wrong to talk about rocket firings from the Gaza Strip now. Let us allow the intifada to run its course, within the framework of popular resistance.” He added, however, “But in principle, we have not ruled out the use of arms, as we are at the heart of a resistance action. Taking up arms will come at the right time.” 

Batsh confirmed this perspective, stating, “It is a mistake to believe that Gaza is scared. The resistance is only respecting the current stage and its requirements.” He continued, “In the Islamic Jihad movement, we support this broad form of struggle and intifada in Jerusalem and the West Bank cities. We also support the tools used, including the slings and the stones, the burning of tires and the use of knives. These are forms of mass popular resistance, and we respect and support them as they are playing the required roles.”