Palestinian Islamic Jihad ramps up capabilities in West Bank
Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, announced the formation of a new Nablus Brigade following the Flag Day marches.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — In the two days that followed the controversial flag march organized by Israeli far-right settlers in East Jerusalem on May 29, several shootings against the Israeli army and settlers were reported in the West Bank. Twelve shooting operations were reported, while 35 explosive devices were thrown at Israeli military checkpoints and posts across the West Bank, with the most incidents recorded in Jenin and Nablus.
Al-Quds Brigades, the Islamic Jihad’s military wing, claimed responsibility for most of these attacks that came days after it announced the formation of the “Nablus Brigade” on May 25, following clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians near the flashpoint Joseph’s Tomb in Jenin.
In its first statement following its formation, the Nablus Brigade said that four of its members successfully set up an ambush for Israeli forces and settlers who stormed Joseph’s Tomb,wounding several. The statement added that the brigades’ members then withdrew successfully.
The Nablus Brigade is similar to the Jenin Brigade, which was formed in September 2021 after six Palestinian prisoners, including five from the Islamic Jihad, escaped from the Israeli high-security Gilboa Prison.
