Ziad al-Nakhalah

Ziad al-Nakhalah is the U.S.-designated secretary-general of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), a Palestinian terrorist group largely based in the Gaza Strip. Nakhalah assumed the leadership of PIJ in September 2018 after serving as deputy secretary-general for more than two decades.“Iran-backed Palestinian Islamic Jihad names new leader,” Associated Press, September 28, 2018, https://apnews.com/d14e7e6a4a68481980b6db8052853f03; “Terrorist Designation of Ziyad al-Nakhalah,” U.S. Department of State, January 23, 2014, https://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/other/des/266559.htm. He was reelected for a second four-year term in March 2023.“Islamic Jihad members re-elect Ziad Nakhala as secretary-general,” Middle East Monitor, March 6, 2023, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230306-islamic-jihad-members-re-elect-ziad-nakhala-as-secretary-general/.

The U.S. Department of State has accused Nakhalah of cultivating “strong relations with the Government of Iran.”“Terrorist Designation of Ziyad al-Nakhalah,” U.S. Department of State, January 23, 2014, https://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/other/des/266559.htm. After Nakhalah assumed the PIJ leadership in September 2018, the Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat wrote that Iran feared that newly appointed deputy secretary-general Mohammad al-Hindi was more sympathetic to the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas and might try to sway PIJ away from Iran’s influence. Iran allegedly preferred to have pro-Iran Nakhalah in the role of secretary-general with Hindi as his deputy in order to ensure the group’s continued allegiance. PIJ denied the reports.Ahmad Abu Amer, “Has Iran's influence increased in Palestinian arena?” Al-Monitor, October 16, 2018, https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2018/10/palestinian-islamic-jihad-elections-iran-influence.html.

Nakhalah has maintained ties between PIJ and Iran since his election. In December 2018, Nakhalah traveled to Tehran, where he met with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and praised Iran for its support of the Palestinian cause.“Iran’s Top Diplomat Meets PIJ Chief,” Iran Front Page, December 29, 2018, https://ifpnews.com/exclusive/irans-top-diplomat-meets-pij-chief/; Adam Kredo, “Iran Hosts Palestinian Terror Group, Sparking Fears of New Attacks,” Washington Free Beacon, January 2, 2019, https://freebeacon.com/national-security/iran-hosts-palestinian-terror-group-sparking-fears-of-new-attacks/. In 2014, the State Department accused Nakhalah of seeking to expand PIJ’s ties with Hamas.“Terrorist Designation of Ziyad al-Nakhalah,” U.S. Department of State, January 23, 2014, https://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/other/des/266559.htm. In February 2019, Nakhalah reportedly met with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh to coordinate a response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s yet-to-be-revealed Middle East peace plan.Adnan Abu Amer, “What was Hamas’ Haniyeh doing in Egypt for 25 days?” Al-Monitor, March 20, 2019, https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/03/hamas-ismail-haniyeh-25-days-visit-egypt-release-detainees.html; “Press release issued by Hamas and Islamic Jihad on Egypt visit,” Hamas, February 5, 2019, http://hamas.ps/en/post/1895/press-release-issued-by-hamas-and-islamic-jihad-on-egypt-visit.

Nakhalah remains supportive of PIJ’s violent tactics. He personally claimed credit for PIJ missile attacks on Israel between 2008 and 2011.“Terrorist Designation of Ziyad al-Nakhalah,” U.S. Department of State, January 23, 2014, https://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/other/des/266559.htm. In a December 2018 interview with Iranian TV channel al-Alam, Nakhalah praised the “axis of resistance” with Iran and Iran-backed Hezbollah. He warned of “strategic coordination” between PIJ and Hamas and a “joint operations room of the resistance factions.” He further warned Israel that PIJ’s fighters “will emerge from beneath the ground and from above the ground” to defeat Israel and cause it to “disappear.”Yoni Ben Menachem, “Islamic Jihad Leader: We Will Attack Israel from the North and South,” Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, January 1, 2019, http://jcpa.org/islamic-jihad-leader-we-will-attack-israel-from-the-north-and-south/.

Israel has twice arrested Nakhalah for participation in violent activities. Israeli authorities first jailed him in 1971 for participation with the Arab Liberation Front. He was released in 1985 as part of a prisoner exchange deal orchestrated by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.Shlomi Eldar, “Islamic Jihad, the new lord of Gaza?” Al-Monitor, February 5, 2019, https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/02/israel-egypt-gaza-strip-palestinians-hamas-islamic-jihad.html; Mohamed Majid and Ali Abo Rezeg, “Islamic Jihad's Ziad Nakhala: A lifetime of resistance,” Anadolu Agency, September 28, 2019, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/islamic-jihads-ziad-nakhala-a-lifetime-of-resistance/1267697. Israeli authorities arrested Nakhalah again in 1988 for his participation in the first Palestinian intifada (uprising) against Israel. Israel deported Nakhalah to Lebanon, where he became PIJ’s representative in Beirut.“Iran-backed Palestinian Islamic Jihad names new leader,” Associated Press, September 28, 2018, https://apnews.com/d14e7e6a4a68481980b6db8052853f03; Mohamed Majid and Ali Abo Rezeg, “Islamic Jihad's Ziad Nakhala: A lifetime of resistance,” Anadolu Agency, September 28, 2019, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/islamic-jihads-ziad-nakhala-a-lifetime-of-resistance/1267697. After the assassination of PIJ Secretary-General Fathi Shaqaqi in 1995, Ramadan Shallah became PIJ’s new secretary-general. Shallah subsequently appointed Nakhalah as his deputy secretary-general.Mohamed Majid and Ali Abo Rezeg, “Islamic Jihad's Ziad Nakhala: A lifetime of resistance,” Anadolu Agency, September 28, 2019, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/islamic-jihads-ziad-nakhala-a-lifetime-of-resistance/1267697.

In April 2018, Shallah reportedly fell into a coma following heart surgery in Lebanon.“Palestine’s Islamic Jihad denies leader was in coma in Lebanon,” Middle East Monitor, April 10, 2018, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180410-palestines-islamic-jihad-denies-leader-was-in-coma-in-lebanon/. PIJ denied reports of Shallah’s illness but scheduled internal elections for a new secretary-general in September 2018. Nakhalah was elected PIJ’s new secretary-general on September 27, 2018.“Iran-backed Palestinian Islamic Jihad names new leader,” Associated Press, September 28, 2018, https://apnews.com/d14e7e6a4a68481980b6db8052853f03; “Palestine’s Islamic Jihad denies leader was in coma in Lebanon,” Middle East Monitor, April 10, 2018, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180410-palestines-islamic-jihad-denies-leader-was-in-coma-in-lebanon/; “Palestinian Islamic Jihad chooses new leader, remains close to Iran,” Times of Israel, September 28, 2018, https://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinian-islamic-jihad-chooses-new-leader-remains-close-to-iran/; Ahmad Abu Amer, “Has Iran's influence increased in Palestinian arena?” Al-Monitor, October 16, 2018, https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2018/10/palestinian-islamic-jihad-elections-iran-influence.html. On March 3, 2023, PIJ announced Nakhalah had won reelection for a second four-year term as secretary-general. PIJ claimed a 95 percent voter turnout rate among eligible voters in Gaza and abroad.“Islamic Jihad members re-elect Ziad Nakhala as secretary-general,” Middle East Monitor, March 6, 2023, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230306-islamic-jihad-members-re-elect-ziad-nakhala-as-secretary-general/.

On October 7, 2023, one day after the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War and as Israel is marking the Jewish holidays of Simchat Torah and Shabbat, Hamas launches a multi-pronged attack on Israel, resulting in hundreds of casualties and hostages taken into Gaza. At least 800 Israelis are killed and more than 1,000 wounded in the first three days of the conflict while Hamas takes at least 100 hostages in Gaza. On October 8, Nakhalah announces PIJ is also holding 30 Israeli hostages. During an October 9 phone call between Nakhalah and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Raisi praises the “brilliant and impressive victories” of the “Palestinian resistance.”Josef Federman and Issam Adwan, “Hamas surprise attack out of Gaza stuns Israel and leaves hundreds dead in fighting, retaliation,” Associated Press, October 7, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2; Gianluca Pacchiani, “Iran president praises ‘innovative operation’ in call with Islamic Jihad chief,” Times of Israel, October 9, 2023, https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/iran-president-praises-innovative-operation-in-call-with-islamic-jihad-chief/; Gianluca Pacchiani, “Islamic Jihad leader claims terror group is holding over 30 Israeli hostages,” Times of Israel, October 8, 2023, https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/islamic-jihad-leader-claims-terror-group-is-holding-over-30-israeli-hostages/; Gianluca Pacchiani, “Iran president praises ‘innovative operation’ in call with Islamic Jihad chief,” Times of Israel, October 9, 2023, https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/iran-president-praises-innovative-operation-in-call-with-islamic-jihad-chief/.

Also Known As

Extremist entity
Palestinian Islamic Jihad
Read Threat Report
Type(s) of Organization:
Non-state actor, terrorist, violent
Ideologies and Affiliations:
Iranian-sponsored, Islamist, jihadist, Palestinian, Salafist, Sunni, takfiri
Position(s):
Secretary-General

PIJ is a Palestinian Islamist terrorist group sponsored by Iran and Syria. Founded in 1979 as an offshoot of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, PIJ is the second-largest terrorist group in Gaza today (after Hamas).

  • Designations
  • Rhetoric

United States

July 9, 2023

“We disagree with the Palestinian Authority in terms of political stance, but our weapon remains against the enemy. If the Palestinian Authority was wiser, it would have benefited from the state of resistance.”“Islamic Jihad blasts Palestinian Authority’s crackdown on resistance,” Press TV, July 10, 2023, https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2023/07/10/706778/Islamic-Jihad-condemns-PA-crackdown-resistance-.

July 9, 2023

“What happened in the Jenin camp is a great triumph in the face of the Zionist aggression, led by the Jenin Battalion in the al-Quds Brigades and all the resistance forces. What happened establishes a new era that the upper hand is for our people and their solid resistance.”“Jenin battle ushered in ‘new era’ in resistance superiority: Islamic Jihad,” Press TV, July 9, 2023, https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2023/07/09/706748/Islamic-Jihad-Jenin.

July 1, 2023

“During our visit to Iran, during the meeting with His Eminence, the Leader, His Eminence reaffirmed [his desire] to advance arming the West Bank and resistance action in the West Bank.”“Islamic Jihad chief says his Iran-backed group forming fighting units across W. Bank,” Times of Israel, July 1, 2023, https://www.timesofisrael.com/islamic-jihad-chief-says-iran-backed-group-forming-fighting-battalions-across-w-bank/.

Apr. 14, 2023

Speaking at a Quds Day rally in Iraq:

“The resistance arenas emphasize their readiness, the resistance will come from Palestine and the surrounding area. Jerusalem is our identity, and the Jihad must continue in order to liberate it from the Zionist occupation.

“We will continue the confrontation even if it takes 1,000 years to liberate Palestine.”Matthias Inbar, “‘It may explode:’ Hezbollah chief issues stark warning to Israel in Quds Day speech,” i24 News, April 14, 2023, https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/middle-east/levant-turkey/1681481581-hezbollah-chief-marks-quds-day-with-a-warning-to-israel; “Muslim world reaffirms support for al-Quds on last Friday of Ramadan,” Press TV, April 14, 2023, https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2023/04/14/701545/Muslim-world-marks-Quds-day-2023.

Jan. 27, 2023

Statement in response to a January 26 Israeli raid in Jenin that killed at least 10 Palestinians, including several PIJ fighters:

“This is a day of jihad and a day of the Palestinian people who did not stop fighting and resisting, and the martyrs today are leading the ranks and shaping our future with their unity, blood and fighting.

“We will not be broken and we will not back down, despite the pain, and our flags will remain raised and our guns ready to fight and defend the Palestinian people and their sacred goals.”“Palestine Islamic Jihad Movement condemns Israel massacre in Jenin refugee camp,” Middle East Monitor, January 27, 2023, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230127-palestine-islamic-jihad-movement-condemns-israel-massacre-in-jenin-refugee-camp/.

Aug. 5. 2022

“We are going into battle. There are no ceasefires after an attack.”“Islamic Jihad’s leader, currently in Tehran, vows: ‘We are going into battle,’” Times of Israel, August 5, 2022, https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/islamic-jihads-leader-currently-in-tehran-vows-we-are-going-into-battle/.

Aug. 5, 2022

“We are starting the fight, and the fighters of the Palestinian resistance have to stand together to confront this aggression.”Fares Akram and Joseph Krauss, “Israeli strikes on Gaza kill 8, including senior militant,” Associated Press, August 5, 2022, https://apnews.com/article/israel-strikes-gaza-rising-tensions-4539de5f30c605b3423d3472351cd638.

Apr. 25, 2022

“Our nation is faced with the Zionist regime’s onslaught, which seeks to Judaize al-Quds and create new realities on the ground. The Palestinian nation is creating new equations in its confrontation with the Zionist regime.

…

“The Zionists use military force and under the guise of international organizations exploit the compromising Arab countries that have recognized the legitimacy of this occupying regime. They also cause conflicts with the Palestinian people in order to take advantage of them.

…

“Despite Israeli efforts to Judaize al-Aqsa Mosque and destroy the identity of the Palestinian people, the aggressors in Yemen are trying to get closer to the Zionist regime in any way possible.

…

“The countdown for the Zionist regime has begun, and today it is rapidly going downhill on the domestic front and in its confrontation with the Palestinian intifadas (uprisings).”“Islamic Jihad leader: Palestinians creating new equations in confrontation with Zionist enemy,” Press TV, April 25, 2022, https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2022/04/25/680983/Palestinians-Islamic-Jihad-movement-Ziad-Nakhala--.

May 8, 2021

“It is impossible to remain silent in the face of what is happening in Jerusalem. The enemy must expect our response at all times.”Elior Levy, “Islamic Jihad threatens ‘response at any moment’ against Israel for Jerusalem unrest,” Ynet, May 8, 2021, https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r1Vl6Q7dd.

Jan. 5, 2020

The death of Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani is a “huge loss but at the same time he will be a model for all Muslims and free people in the world regarding how to confront America and the Zionist entity.”dam Rasgon, “Hamas, Islamic Jihad heads give condolences to Iran’s FM on Soleimani’s death,” Times of Israel, January 5, 2020, https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-islamic-jihad-heads-give-condolences-to-irans-fm-on-soleimanis-death/.

Mar. 25, 2019

Statement on PIJ-linked website Palestine Today:

“We warn the Zionist enemy against perpetrating any aggression against the Gaza Strip. Its leaders should know that we will respond with force to their aggression.”Adam Rasgon, “Islamic Jihad head says terror group will respond to ‘any aggression’ with force,” Times of Israel, March 25, 2019, https://www.timesofisrael.com/islamic-jihad-head-says-terror-group-will-respond-to-any-aggression-with-force/.

Dec. 29, 2018

Interview with Iranian TV channel Al-Alam:

“In the next confrontation with the occupation, the axis of resistance will operate from the north [Lebanon] to the south [Gaza]. There will be open channels of collaboration, without any limitation or red lines. Each Israeli attack will be answered with a reaction from the entire axis of resistance. All forces will participate in it, as they will form a single axis. Iran supports the Palestinian resistance and the Hizbullah organization. The resistance is in its best situation. There have been qualitative developments in the capabilities of the Palestinian resistance. Next year, we will see big changes in favor of the resistance.

“The entire ‘axis of resistance’ will work together in every confrontation that will arise. The resistance forces and their axis have a plan to struggle against the occupation. There is strategic coordination between the factions of the resistance in the Gaza Strip [Hamas and Islamic Jihad], and we will strengthen the joint operations room of the resistance factions.

“We will emerge from beneath the ground and from above the ground. The occupation needs to expect us everywhere. I’m sure we will defeat the Zionist project, and this entity will disappear. We will continue with the resistance, and we will not withdraw from it. There will be victims, come what may.”Yoni Ben Menachem, “Islamic Jihad Leader: We Will Attack Israel from the North and South,” Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, January 1, 2019, http://jcpa.org/islamic-jihad-leader-we-will-attack-israel-from-the-north-and-south/.

Oct. 5, 2018

Addressing protesters in the Gaza Strip:

“The courageous Palestinian resistance has the capacity and capabilities to make the Gaza envelope and the surrounding settlements uninhabitable. … Al-Quds Brigades and [Izz ad-Din] al-Qassam Brigades will not keep mum and will act in the right moment to halt any disdain for the blood of our people.”Ahmad Abu Amer, “Has Iran’s influence increased in Palestinian arena?” Al-Monitor, October 16, 2018, https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2018/10/palestinian-islamic-jihad-elections-iran-influence.html.

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Daily Dose

Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.

In Their Own Words:

We reiterate once again that the brigades will directly target US bases across the region in case the US enemy commits a folly and decides to strike our resistance fighters and their camps [in Iraq].

Abu Ali al-Askari, Kata’ib Hezbollah (KH) Security Official Mar. 2023
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