Middle East Information Resource
Political Entities - al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade
The al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade is composed of a number of small cells of activists, affiliated with Fatah. They emerged at the beginning of the second intifadah to attack Israeli targets. Its stated aim is to drive the Israeli military and settlers from the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Jerusalem and to establish a Palestinian state. Al-Aqsa operates mainly in the West Bank. It has claimed responsibility for attacks inside Israel and the Gaza Strip.
Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade has carried out shootings and suicide operations against Israeli military personnel and civilians. It has also killed Palestinians whom it believed were collaborators with Israel. At least five US citizens, four of them dual Israeli-US citizens, were killed in these attacks. The group probably did not attack them because of their US citizenship. In January 2002, the group claimed responsibility for the first suicide bombing carried out by a female.