SUMMARY

The PRC (Popular Resistance Committees) was a Palestinian separatist rebel group that launched an armed struggle over territory, against the Government of Israel in 2001. The group’s goal was to achieve an independent Palestinian state.

Jamal Abu Samhadana created the PRC in 2000, following the onset of the Second (“Aqsa”) Intifada; Samhadana was a former member of Fatah. It has been suggested that the original purpose of the group was to defend Palestinian refugee camps against Israeli forces; however, the group quickly transitioned into an armed group carrying out its own attacks against Israeli target. The PRC was created as a loose alliance of former members and dissidents from several other Palestinian factions, such as Fatah, Hamas, PFLP, and PIJ; it has also been suggested that the PRC included former members of the PNA’s Preventive Security Organization. As a result, the group harbored several different ideological directions, such as Palestinian nationalism and Islamism.

Samhadana led the PRC from 2000 until his death in June 2006. PRC subsequent leaders were 'Amir Qarmoot Abu As-Sa'id (2006-2008), Kamal al-Nirab (2008-2011), and Zuhir al-Qaisi (2011-2012); all were killed in various attacks. After al-Qaisi's death, Ayman al-Shishniyeh became the new leader of the group. The group’s military wing was called the Salah al-Din Brigades; it has not been possible to verify the number of fighters belonging to the PRC.

The PRC carried out attacks together with Hamas, and another group called Army of Islam. Israeli sources also claimed that there were links between the PRC and the PNA Security Forces; however, these links have not been possible to verify with any non-partisan source. Some sources also suggest links to Hezbollah, but this has not been independently proven or verified. PRC participated in the 7 October 2023 attacks together with Hamas, PIJ, and other militant groups.