Profiles of 28 Iran-Backed Terrorist Groups and Branches
in the West Bank

By Joe Truzman

Iran-backed terrorist groups, including Islamic Jihad, al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, and Hamas, have proliferated in number and strengthened their presence in the West Bank in recent years. The groups have established battalions (Katibat) in Nablus, Jenin, Tulkarm and beyond. Iranian arms and funding have primarily fueled this violent escalation.

FDD's Long War Journal has identified 26 West Bank branches belonging to established terrorist organizations, and two independent armed groups.

Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine

Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades

Islamic Jihad

Burqin Groups

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades

Cheetah Battalion – Jenin

Islamic Jihad

Jabaa Groups

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades

Jalazoun Battalion

Jund Allah

Jund Allah – Tubas

Islamic Jihad

Kafr Dan Groups

Hamas

Katibat Aqabat Jabr

Islamic Jihad

Katibat Ariha (Jericho)

Islamic Jihad

Katibat Beit Ummar a.k.a. Katibat Hebron

Islamic Jihad

Katibat Jenin

Islamic Jihad

Katibat Nablus

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades

Katibat Qaffin

Islamic Jihad

Katibat Tubas

Islamic Jihad

Katibat Tulkarm

Hamas

Katibat Tulkarm

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades

Lions of Glory Groups Qalqilya

Palestinian Mujahideen Movement

Mujahideen Brigades – Occupied West Bank

Popular Resistance Committees

Nasser Salah al-Din Brigades – West Bank (Jenin)

Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine

National Resistance Brigades

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades

Nour Shams Camp

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades

Occupied Territory

Islamic Jihad

Qabatiya Groups

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades

Rapid Response Group Tulkarm

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades

Tubas

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades

Youth of Revenge and Liberation – Balata Camp

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades

Youth of Revenge and Liberation – Nablus

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades

Youth of Revenge and Liberation – Tulkarm

Islamic Jihad

Katibat Beit Ummar a.k.a. Katibat Hebron

Islamic Jihad

Qabatiya Groups

Islamic Jihad

Burqin Groups

Islamic Jihad

Jabaa Groups

Islamic Jihad

Katibat Tulkarm

Islamic Jihad

Katibat Jenin

Islamic Jihad

Katibat Tubas

Islamic Jihad

Katibat Ariha (Jericho)

Islamic Jihad

Kafr Dan Groups

Islamic Jihad

Katibat Nablus

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades

Tubas

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades

Nour Shams Camp

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades

Katibat Qaffin

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades

Lions of Glory Groups Qalqilya

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades

Rapid Response Group Tulkarm

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades

Cheetah Battalion – Jenin

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades

Jalazoun Battalion

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades

Youth of Revenge and Liberation – Nablus

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades

Youth of Revenge and Liberation – Tulkarm

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades

Occupied Territory

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades

Youth of Revenge and Liberation – Balata Camp

Hamas

Jund Allah – Tubas

Hamas

Katibat Tulkarm

Hamas

Katibat Aqabat Jabr

Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine

National Resistance Brigades

Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine

Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades

Palestinian Mujahideen Movement

Mujahideen Brigades – Occupied West Bank

Popular Resistance Committees

Nasser Salah al-Din Brigades – West Bank (Jenin)

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Methodology

This visual draws on open-source information, including data released by government agencies, English and Arabic-language news reports, and social media accounts operated by terrorist groups. The battalions or branches of established terrorist groups included in this visual have claimed responsibility for an attack, provided proof corroborating an assault, and/or created a logo that conveys an allegiance to an established armed organization operating in the West Bank.

This visual relies on credible reports and visual evidence of terrorist activity against Israeli targets over the past twelve months. In most cases, there are multiple pieces of evidence published by the groups listed in the visual. However, only one example per organization is noted.

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine/Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine/National Resistance Brigades do not have branches in the West Bank like their counterparts, but the groups are carrying out attacks there. Two Gaza-based terrorist organizations -- the Popular Resistance Committees/Al-Nasser Salah al-Din Brigades and the Palestinian Mujahideen Movement/Mujahideen Brigades -- have also been operating in the territory.

Terrorist groups colored orange are affiliated with Islamic Jihad.  

Terrorist groups colored yellow are affiliated with al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades.

Terrorist groups colored brown are affiliated with Hamas.

Terrorist groups colored grey are other armed organizations that operate independently from Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades.  

Although the U.S. sanctions imposed on The Lions' Den for its terrorist activity in the West Bank, the group has been excluded from this visual because it has been largely defunct since summer 2023.

The number of branches or battalions belonging to each organization does not necessarily equate to overall strength. Some branches are better armed and organized than others. Moreover, the security dynamic in the West Bank is fluid. FDD’s Long War Journal will continue to update this visual with the most recent open source data available.