View source for Army of Islam (Gaza)

{{Short description|Islamic militant organization in Palestine}}
{{Redirect|Jaish al-Islam|the Syrian rebel coalition|Jaysh al-Islam}}
{{pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}
{{infobox war faction
| name             = Army of Islam<br/>جَيش الإسلام<br/>Jaysh al-Islām
| image            = [[file:Army-of-Islam-logo.jpg|200px]]
| imagesize        = 
| caption          = Logo of the Army of Islam
| dates            = 2005–present
| leader           = Mumtaz Dughmush
| partof           = 
| allegiance       = {{flagicon|Islamic State}} [[Islamic State]] ([[Islamic State – Sinai Province|Wilayat Sinai]])
| motives          = The creation of an [[Islamic state]] in [[Palestine]], and the restoration of the [[caliphate]]<ref name="Aymenn"/>
| area             = [[Gaza Strip]], [[Egypt]], [[Syria]]
| ideology         = [[Salafism]]<br/>[[Jihadism]]<br/>[[Sunni]] [[Islamism]]
| allies           = {{flagicon image|Islamic State flag.svg}} [[Ansar Bait al-Maqdis]]<br />{{flagicon image|Flag of Jihad.svg}} [[Tawhid al-Jihad (Gaza Strip)|Tawhid al-Jihad]]
| opponents        = {{flag|Israel}}<br />{{flag|Hamas}}
| war              = [[Salafi-jihadist insurgency in the Gaza Strip]]
}}

'''Army of Islam''' ({{langx|ar|جَيش الإسلام}} ''Jaysh al-Islām''), officially '''The Army of Islam Group in Jerusalem''' (''Jama'at Jaysh al-Islam fi Bayt al-Maqdis''), is a [[Salafi Jihadism|Salafi Jihadist]] militant organization in the [[Gaza Strip]].<ref name="Aymenn">{{cite web |url=http://www.aymennjawad.org/2019/01/jaysh-al-islam-in-gaza-exclusive-interview |title=Jaysh al-Islam in Gaza: Exclusive Interview |first=Aymenn Jawad |last=Al-Tamimi |date=25 January 2019 |access-date=13 February 2019 |archive-date=14 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214002850/http://www.aymennjawad.org/2019/01/jaysh-al-islam-in-gaza-exclusive-interview |url-status=live }}</ref> It was founded by the [[Doghmush clan]] in 2006,<ref name="Gears">{{cite web |url=http://www.gplanet.co.il/prodetailsamewin.asp?pro_id=413 |title=The Gears |first=Guy |last=Bechor |date=6 July 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721135305/http://www.gplanet.co.il/prodetailsamewin.asp?pro_id=413 |archive-date=21 July 2011 |language=he}}</ref> and is based  in the Tzabra neighborhood in the center of the Gaza Strip. The group has been designated a [[terrorist organization]]<!-- see link for inclusion of national bodies --> by the [[United States]] and the [[UAE]].<ref name="Designation"/>

==History==
The Army of Islam was founded in late 2005.<ref name="Designation">{{cite news |title=Designation of Army of Islam |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/05/163838.htm |access-date=26 October 2023 |publisher=[[State Department]] |date=2011-05-19 |archive-date=16 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216231148/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/05/163838.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The Army of Islam split from Hamas due to the members agreeing with Al-Qaeda's ideology which goes against Hamas'.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Army of Islam (Jaysh al-Islam) |url=https://www.dni.gov/nctc/ftos/army_of_islam_fto.html |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=[[Director of National Intelligence]]}}</ref> The Army of Islam never fully gained the support of Al-Qaeda nor did it get any praise during its early years in activities, though the Army of Islam became allies with [[Tawhid al-Jihad (Gaza Strip)|Tawhid al-Jihad]] and, later, [[Ansar Bait al-Maqdis]] which led to the organization pledging [[bay'ah]] to the [[Islamic State]] and its leader at the time, [[Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Geoff |date=2015-03-19 |title=The Province of Sinai: Why Bother with Palestine if You Can Be Part of the "Islamic State"? |url=https://ctc.westpoint.edu/the-province-of-sinai-why-bother-with-palestine-if-you-can-be-part-of-the-islamic-state/ |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=[[Combating Terrorism Center]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

An Israeli helicopter strike killed Army of Islam senior leader Mohammed Jamil al-Nemnem, 27, in Gaza City on 3 November 2010. Nemnem was second-in-command to Mumtaz Doghmush.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gaza blast kills leading militant |url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/gaza-blast-kills-leading-militant-20101104-17e9q.html |access-date=26 October 2023 |work=Sydney Morning Herald |agency=AFP |date=2010-11-04 |archive-date=26 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026180343/https://www.smh.com.au/world/gaza-blast-kills-leading-militant-20101104-17e9q.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2010/11/israel-army-targets-army-of-islam-operatives-again.html |title=ISRAEL, GAZA: Security forces target Army of Islam operatives, again |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=17 November 2010 |access-date=4 July 2024 |archive-date=21 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121165306/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2010/11/israel-army-targets-army-of-islam-operatives-again.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Egypt had reportedly tipped-off Israel that Nemnem was helping plan an attack on the [[Multinational Force and Observers]] in the [[Sinai Peninsula]].<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Vick, Karl |title=Behind An Israeli Strike In Gaza, Help From Egypt |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=10 November 2010}}</ref> In a subsequent statement, Israel claimed Nemnem was involved in directing multiple terrorist attacks targeting Israelis in recent years.<ref name="Jazeera" />

Following the Nemnem  strike, the [[Israeli Air Force]] killed group members Mohammed and Islam Yassif in a drone strike on 17 November 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imemc.org/article/59930 |title=Two Brothers, Members Of the Army of Islam, Killed By Army Airstrike In Gaza  |publisher=[[International Middle East Media Center]]|date=28 November 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101126221434/http://imemc.org/article/59930| archive-date= 26 November 2010 | url-status= live |access-date=4 July 2024}}</ref> The strike was coordinated with Israeli [[Shin Bet]] and occurred around dawn on a busy street in Gaza City, and cited the same security issues as that in the killing of Namnam.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?ID=334011|title=Brothers killed in airstrike on central Gaza City|website=Maan News Agency |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20160819201129/http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?ID=334011 |archive-date=19 August 2016 |date=17 November 2010}}</ref>

In 2015, the group had reportedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and joined as a part of the [[Islamic State – Sinai Province]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-09-11 |title=Powerful militant group in Gaza allegedly pledges allegiance to ISIS |url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/isis-threat/powerful-militant-group-in-gaza-allegedly-pledges-allegiance-to-isis-415869 |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |language=en |issn=0792-822X |oclc=15700704}}</ref>

By 2018, the group faced increasing repression by Hamas which was unwilling to tolerate its extremist activities. In turn, the group considers Hamas an [[Apostasy|apostate]] organization, and has called upon Muslims to carry out [[Lone wolf (terrorism)|lone wolf attacks]] against Israel.<ref name="Aymenn"/>

==Ideology==
According to the U.S. government, the group is [[Salafist]] and combines a [[Jihadism|global jihad]] ideology with Palestinian armed resistance. As of 2011, the group was attempting to deepen its contact with al-Qaida. After the death of [[Osama bin Laden]], Army of Islam's Al Nur Media Foundation released a eulogy.<ref name= "Designation" />

The group appears to draw inspiration from, or is linked to, [[al-Qaeda]], and has conducted at least one bombing of a Palestinian civilian target (an empty school<ref name= "IHT" >{{Cite news |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/04/21/news/22mideast.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070627103421/http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/04/21/news/22mideast.php |archive-date=27 June 2007 |title=Bombing at U.S.-backed school in Gaza |newspaper=International Herald Tribune |date=21 April 2007 |first=Isabel |last=Kershner}}</ref>) and a number of other kidnappings. The group was originally closely related to [[Hamas]], but its extremist stances eventually alienated both Hamas and [[Fatah]]. The group has also been known as ''The Organization of jihad in Palestine'' and is linked to [[Abu Qatada al-Filistini|Abu Qatada]], the British-based [[Palestinian-Jordanian]] extremist [[Sheikh]] who they demanded be released in exchange for Johnston.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/islam_troops_e.htm |title=The Army of Islam, a radical Islamic Palestinian terrorist group in the Gaza Strip |publisher=Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center at the Israel Intelligence Heritage & Commemoration Center (IICC) |access-date=28 November 2010 |archive-date=23 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123023858/http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/islam_troops_e.htm |url-status=dead |date=20 May 2007}}</ref>

==Activities==
The group has been responsible for a number of attacks in Israel and Egypt and Western citizens, including the kidnappings of Israeli soldier [[Gilad Shalit]] and [[2006 Fox journalists kidnapping|two Fox News journalists]] in 2006 and British journalist [[kidnapping of Alan Johnston|Alan Johnston]] in 2007.<ref name= "IHT" /><ref name="Designation" /><ref name="Jazeera">{{cite news |title=One killed in Gaza car explosion |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2010/11/3/one-killed-in-gaza-car-explosion |access-date=26 October 2023 |work=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |date=2010-11-03 |archive-date=26 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026181608/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2010/11/3/one-killed-in-gaza-car-explosion |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2011, the group told the French security services that they had planned an attack on the [[Bataclan (theatre)|Bataclan theatre]] because its owners were Jewish.<ref name="Greenhouse15Nov">{{cite magazine|magazine=[[The New Republic]]|first=Emily|last=Greenhouse|url=https://newrepublic.com/article/123878/life-and-death-on-the-boulevard-voltaire|title=Life and Death on the Boulevard Voltaire|date=15 November 2015|access-date=4 July 2024|archive-date=17 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117004956/https://newrepublic.com/article/123878/life-and-death-on-the-boulevard-voltaire|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lepoint.fr/societe/le-bataclan-une-cible-regulierement-visee-14-11-2015-1981544_23.php|title=Pourquoi le Bataclan est-il régulièrement visé?|work=[[Le Point]]|date=14 November 2015|access-date=4 July 2024|archive-date=14 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114014204/http://www.lepoint.fr/societe/le-bataclan-une-cible-regulierement-visee-14-11-2015-1981544_23.php|url-status=live|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=French mag: Bataclan an Islamist target due to Jewish owners|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/french-mag-bataclan-an-islamist-target-due-to-jewish-owners|website=[[The Times of Israel]]|access-date=4 July 2024|archive-date=16 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116053321/http://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/french-mag-bataclan-an-islamist-target-due-to-jewish-owners/|url-status=live |date=14 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Fransk magasin: Bataclan har jødiske eiere|url=http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/uriks/Fransk-magasin---Bataclan-har-jodiske-eiere-8243620.html|website=[[Aftenposten]]|access-date=14 November 2015|archive-date=16 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116134447/http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/uriks/Fransk-magasin---Bataclan-har-jodiske-eiere-8243620.html|url-status=dead |language=no |date=14 November 2015}}</ref>

A limited number of fighters belonging to the group travelled to Syria from 2012 to fight in the [[Syrian Civil War]]; several of these volunteers were killed in combat.<ref name="Aymenn"/> In 2016, the Army of Islam released a eulogy for the [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|Islamic State]]'s commander [[Abu Omar al-Shishani]] after he was killed in fighting in [[al-Shirqat]], [[Iraq]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://azelin.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/jaysh-al-islacc84m-22condolences-and-eulogy-for-umar-al-shicc84shacc84nicc8422.pdf |script-title=ar:عزاء و رثاء: عمر الشيشاني |publisher=The Army of Islam |date=13 July 2016 |language=ar |access-date=14 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013173455/https://azelin.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/jaysh-al-islacc84m-22condolences-and-eulogy-for-umar-al-shicc84shacc84nicc8422.pdf |archive-date=13 October 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Nevertheless, the group has not openly admitted any links to ISIL.<ref name="Aymenn"/>

===Kidnapping of Alan Johnston===
{{main|Kidnapping of Alan Johnston}}

In March 2007 the group kidnapped BBC correspondent [[Alan Johnston]].<ref name="Gears"/><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://uk.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20070624/tpl-uk-palestinians-bbc-81f3b62.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626183526/http://uk.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20070624/tpl-uk-palestinians-bbc-81f3b62.html |archive-date=26 June 2007 |work=Yahoo! News |agency=Reuters |title=BBC's Johnston shown in tape wearing explosives |date=24 June 2007}}</ref> On 25 June 2007 the group released a video showing Johnston with an explosive belt around his waist,{{citation needed|date=November 2019}} with a demand for the release of Muslim prisoners in British custody. The group also kidnapped ten members of Hamas and claimed they would kill Johnston if there was an attempt to rescue him. On 4 July 2007, after Gaza authorities arrested several members of the group including spokesman Abu Muthana,<ref>{{Cite news |first=Ibrahim |last=Barzak |date=2 July 2007 |url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070702/ap_on_re_mi_ea/palestinians_kidnapped_reporter|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070705062352/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070702/ap_on_re_mi_ea/palestinians_kidnapped_reporter |title=Hamas makes arrest in reporter's case |work=Yahoo! News |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=5 July 2007}}</ref> and following threats of [[execution]], Johnston was handed over to Hamas officials and released after 114 days in captivity.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6267928.stm |title=BBC's Alan Johnston is released |work=BBC News |date=4 July 2007 |access-date=4 July 2024 |archive-date=11 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111080016/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6267928.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Alexandria bombing==
The group has been linked with the [[2011 Alexandria bombing|2011 bombing of a Coptic church in Alexandria]] that resulted in 23 deaths. Egypt's Interior Minister said on 23 January that evidence proved that the group planned and executed the attack. The group quickly denied responsibility, while also reportedly expressing support for the bombing.<ref>{{cite news|title=Egypt blames Gaza group for bombing|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/01/201112311414915283.html|access-date=26 January 2011|work=Al Jazeera|date=23 January 2011|archive-date=26 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110126080801/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/01/201112311414915283.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Islamist anti-Hamas groups in the Gaza Strip]]
*[[Jund Ansar Allah]]
*[[Jahafil Al-Tawhid Wal-Jihad fi Filastin]]
*[[Army of the Islamic State]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Militant Islamism in the Middle East}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Army Of Islam (Gaza Strip)}}
[[Category:Anti-Israeli sentiment in Palestine]]
[[Category:Jihadist groups in Egypt]]
[[Category:Jihadist groups in Palestine]]
[[Category:Gaza–Israel conflict]]
[[Category:Organisations of the Egyptian Crisis (2011–2014)]]
[[Category:Organizations designated as terrorist by the United States]]
[[Category:Al-Qaeda allied groups]]
[[Category:Anti-Israeli sentiment in Egypt]]
[[Category:Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]]