What is Al-Qassam Brigade? The Hamas faction that carried out attacks in Israel

On October 7, 2023, a well-coordinated, multi-pronged attack by Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s militant wing, involving ground, air, and sea operations marked an inflection point in the Palestine-Israel conflict since 1973. Many casualties and hostages resulted from the incident, revealing a moment of vulnerability for Israel, marked by the malfunction of the Iron Dome defence system, intelligence lapses, and a delayed state response that lasted for several hours.

Israel’s retaliation has been indiscriminate and disproportionate, raising concerns about regional stability in the Middle East. The enduring humanitarian crisis in Gaza, home to 2.2 million people, is a grave concern, with relentless bombardments, disruptions to vital supplies, attacks on medical facilities, and casualties among UN personnel.

The onset of 2023 witnessed the deadliest period for Palestinians in over two decades, coinciding with significant upheaval in Israel’s political and economic landscape, notably Prime Minister Netanyahu’s policy shift aiming to restructure the nation’s judicial system. Amid these developments, the Palestine-Israel tensions have come at a time when a new order was emerging in the Middle East against the backdrop of the US-initiated Arab-Israel normalisation process.

In the fast-changing landscape, there is one entity that has triggered curiosity the world over. People want to know about the Al-Qassam Brigade itself – its structure, strategies, organisational strength, and leadership.

AL-QASSAM BRIGADE 

Historically, the “Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades” name finds its linguistic roots in “Ezz” meaning support or adherence and “Deen” signifying religion, while “Al-Qassam” translates to the breaker or divider. Ezzedeen Al-Qassam, the namesake of the Al-Qassam Brigades, was a Syrian scholar who moved to Palestine in the early 1920s to support the Palestinian resistance against the British Mandate. He was martyred in 1935 near Jenin, Palestine.

The Al-Qassam Brigade, Hamas’s military wing, established in 1991, stands as the largest and best-equipped militant group in Gaza. Currently led by Mohammed Deif and deputy Marwan Issa, it has enhanced missile and rocket capabilities over the years and diversified into drones and underwater commando operations. With activities extending to the West Bank, it has claimed responsibility for attacks on Israeli civilians, receiving funding from Iran and donations from Palestinian expatriates and Arab states.

Al-Qassam’s operational tactics involve guerrilla warfare, including hit-and-run attacks, ambushes, small-scale engagements, rocket attacks from Gaza, suicide bombings, tunnel warfare, sniper attacks, IEDs, and propaganda/psychological warfare. The Brigade’s objectives revolve around establishing an independent Palestinian state, rejecting Israel, and advocating for the liberation of Palestinian territory. The group’s ideology blends Islamist and nationalist elements within Hamas’s wider resistance network. In terms of weaponry, the Brigade maintains an arsenal with enhanced missile and rocket capabilities, mortars, anti-tank weapons, small arms, and improvised explosive devices. Recruitment employs ideological appeal, grassroots supporters, personal connections, referrals, and socio-economic factors in Gaza.

To challenge Israeli intelligence, the Brigade adapts, investing in encryption and communication security, employing deception, infiltrating intelligence networks, and executing covert operations. Strategies aim to undermine Israeli security invincibility, including asymmetric warfare, evolving rocket attacks, tunnel networks, cyber warfare, and blending with civilian populations to minimise military targeting effectiveness. Undermining deterrence through frequent rocket attacks, tunnel infiltrations, guerrilla tactics, and propaganda warfare erodes confidence in the Israeli government’s ability to protect its citizens.

The recent attack by Hamas may be underpinned by three key arguments: firstly, it aligns with the fast-changing regional order, notably after the Abraham Accord in 2020 and an anticipated Saudi-Israel deal; secondly, it could serve as a strategy to draw international attention, given the historical neglect of the Palestinian issue; and thirdly, there is a plausible thesis that the attack aimed to provoke Israel into a ground invasion of Gaza, thereby initiating a protracted and costly conflict, which could potentially utilise civilian casualties and damage caused by Israeli military operations as a means to gain international sympathy and support.

OUTLOOK

The Israel-Palestine conflict, a multifaceted issue, cannot be reduced to mere security concerns or counterterrorism rhetoric. It fundamentally revolves around the unequivocal right to self-determination for Palestinians, firmly enshrined in international law, the UN Charter, and numerous UN resolutions.

World leaders’ pursuit of economic gains often sidelines the Palestinian cause, while Israel remains committed to its settler-colonial identity. The international community’s inability to address the Israeli occupation has emboldened discriminatory policies and even elements of genocide.

Having said that, the Abraham Accords – a Trump-era initiative, now faces mounting uncertainty, with the Israel-KSA deal shelved for the foreseeable future. Saudi Arabia now has to balance its image in the Islamic world, with domestic and international pressures making normalisation with Israel a complex decision.

Meanwhile, GCC states like the UAE and Bahrain navigate a delicate path, seeking benefits from the Accords while addressing anti-Israel sentiments. Other Arab countries, not part of the Accords, like Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, align with broader Arab and Muslim support for the Palestinian cause, relieved they did not embrace the deal earlier.

Hamas’s breach of Israel’s defences has far-reaching implications, serving a dual purpose. It aimed to inspire other groups, signalling that “We attacked Israel, and you can too.” Simultaneously, it aimed to dissuade Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations from normalising ties with an entity unable to ensure its security.

A two-state solution remains the globally endorsed path, reflecting international concern. Achieving a just and lasting solution that respects the rights and dignity of all involved is crucial. However, it is essential to recognise that systemic oppression, akin to apartheid and genocide, invariably leads to resistance.