The Al-Qassam Brigades, officially known as the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, is the military wing of Hamas and has become one of the most well-known Palestinian armed groups in the Middle East. Established in 1991 during the period of the First Intifada, the group has grown into a powerful military force with a presence across Gaza and parts of the West Bank. Named after Izz ad-Din al-Qassam, a Syrian preacher and anti-colonial resistance figure, the group has played a major role in all recent conflicts between Israel and Gaza.
Affiliated with Hamas, the Al-Qassam Brigades support its parent organization’s goal of ending Israeli occupation and establishing a Palestinian state. The group does not recognize the state of Israel and considers all of historic Palestine as occupied territory. Because of this, the Al-Qassam Brigades focus heavily on armed resistance as a means of achieving political and national objectives. Over the past three decades, the Brigades have carried out hundreds of operations including rocket attacks, ambushes, tunnel raids, and sniper fire. Their tactics have evolved with the times, now including drone operations, cyber activities, and maritime warfare.
The Al-Qassam Brigades operate with a decentralized cell-based structure. This setup allows for operational secrecy and resilience even during high-intensity conflicts. Though their exact numbers are unknown, estimates suggest they command tens of thousands of fighters and support personnel. Fighters are trained in a variety of urban and guerrilla combat techniques and have access to locally manufactured weapons as well as foreign-supplied equipment. Over the years, the Brigades have developed long-range rockets and explosive-laden drones, making them more capable of striking deep into Israeli territory.
One of the most prominent figures associated with the Al-Qassam Brigades is Mohammed Deif, also known as Mohammad al-Masri. As the military commander of the group, he has survived multiple Israeli assassination attempts and remains a top target for the Israeli government. Deif is considered a symbol of resistance in Gaza and has been the mastermind behind many major operations, including the surprise attack that began the October 2023 war.
The Al-Qassam Brigades have played a leading role in several major conflicts, including the 2008–2009 Gaza War, the 2012 and 2014 conflicts, and the May 2021 fighting. Their most recent and largest operation began in October 2023, when they launched an unexpected cross-border assault on Israeli territory. This attack marked the beginning of a prolonged war that has caused massive destruction across Gaza and led to tens of thousands of deaths. Throughout the war, the Brigades have continued to fight Israeli ground forces, destroy armored vehicles, and launch rocket barrages into Israeli cities.
Because of their activities, the Al-Qassam Brigades have been designated as a terrorist organization by multiple countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Canada, and Israel. However, within parts of the Arab and Islamic world, they are viewed as a legitimate resistance group fighting against occupation. Their image is often portrayed in local media as heroic, especially when highlighting actions like the destruction of Israeli military equipment or the defense of civilian areas in Gaza.
Critics accuse the group of operating from civilian areas, using human shields, and violating the laws of armed conflict. Human rights organizations have raised concerns about the group’s tactics and its impact on civilian populations, both Palestinian and Israeli. Nonetheless, the Al-Qassam Brigades remain a dominant military force in Gaza and a key player in the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The rise of the Al-Qassam Brigades has reshaped the military and political dynamics of the region. Their influence extends beyond the battlefield, as they are central to Hamas’s power in Gaza and a symbol of resistance for many Palestinians. As long as the conflict continues, the role of the Al-Qassam Brigades is likely to remain central to events in Gaza and beyond.
