Nur Shams Brigade
| Nur Shams Brigade | |
|---|---|
| كتيبة نور شمس | |
| Dates of operation | 2022–present |
| Country | Palestine |
| Headquarters | Nur Shams |
| Ideology | Palestinian self-determination Palestinian nationalism Anti-Zionism Anti-apartheid Anti-imperialism |
| Part of | Al-Quds Brigades Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades Al-Qassam Brigades |
| Allies | Tulkarm Brigade |
| Opponents | Israel Palestinian Authority |
| Battles and wars | |
The Nur Shams Brigade or Nur Shams Battalion (Arabic: كتيبة نور شمس, romanized: Katībat Nur Shams) is a Palestinian militia in the West Bank that operates in the Nur Shams refugee camp. It operates as a branch of the Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), but also encompasses militants from the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades and the Al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas.[1]
History
The Nur Shams Brigade was reportedly founded in 2022, following the Israeli assassination of the militant Saif Abu Libda in April of that year. Abu Libda "is said to have played a key role in laying down the foundations of the group."[1]
On 2 May 2024, Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces killed a PIJ militant affiliated with the Tulkarm Brigade and the Nur Shams Brigade in Tulkarm.[2]
On 30 June 2024, Israeli forces assassinated Saaed Ezzat Jaber, one of the commanders of the militia, in an airstrike on Nur Shams.[3]
The Nur Shams Brigade participated in the July 2024 West Bank unrest, targeting the local headquarters of the PA security forces in the Tulkarm refugee camp following their alleged attempt to arrest Tulkarm Brigade commander Abu Shujaa on 26 July.[4]
During the 2025 Israeli military operation in the West Bank, Israeli forces established control over Nur Shams and expelled all inhabitants,[5] leaving the fate of the militia unknown.
References
- ^ a b "How Tulkarem's Nur Shams camp became Israel's West Bank battleground". The New Arab. 9 May 2024. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ^ "Palestinian security force kills Islamic Jihad gunman in rare internal clash". The Times of Israel. 2 May 2024.
- ^ Hanaysha, Shatha (2024-07-01). "'For the resistance': Tulkarem residents face Israeli airstrikes and assassinations". Mondoweiss. Retrieved 2025-09-21.
- ^ "Palestinian crowd stops PA security forces' arrest of Tulkarm Battalion commander". Middle East Monitor. 2024-07-27. Retrieved 2025-09-21.
- ^ "Israel says army to stay in evacuated West Bank camps for 'coming year'". France 24. 2025-02-23. Retrieved 2025-05-25.