Qassam Brigades

The Qassam Brigades are the military wing of Hamas, a Palestinian Islamist organization that governs the Gaza Strip. They are a key player in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and are considered a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States, and the European Union. Recent news highlights their continued involvement in the conflict, particularly in Gaza. They are newsworthy due to recent Israeli military actions targeting their commanders, including the killing of a senior leader, Raed Saad, in December 2025, even after a ceasefire was in place. These actions have been described by Hamas as breaches of the truce. The Qassam Brigades' activities and the Israeli response significantly impact the humanitarian situation in Gaza, including the opening and closing of border crossings like Rafah. Their continued presence and actions are central to the ongoing tensions and violence in the region.