Originally named the
Red Eagle Brigade (), they were renamed in 2001 after
Abu Ali Mustafa, PFLP's leader, who was killed by Israel in August 2001. They were active with attacks on both military and civilian
Israeli targets during the
al-Aqsa Intifada. On 16 July 2007,
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas requested that all Palestinian resistance groups relinquish their weapons to the
Palestinian Authority. Although several members of
Fatah's armed wing
Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades complied, the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades rejected this, stating that they will not cease their resistance until the Israelis withdraw from all parts of the
West Bank and the
Gaza Strip. The Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades fought in the
2021 Israel–Palestine crisis.
Attacks carried out by the Brigades The PFLP's Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades has carried out attacks on both civilians and military targets during the
Al-Aqsa Intifada. Some of these attacks are: • The killing of Meir Lixenberg, councilor and head of security in four settlements, who was shot while traveling in his car in the
West Bank on 27 August 2001. • The 17 October 2001 assassination of right-wing Israeli politician and Israeli Minister for Tourism
Rehavam Zeevi, the only Israeli politician to have been assassinated in the
Al-Aqsa Intifada. • A suicide bombing in a pizzeria in
Karnei Shomron in the West Bank, on 16 February 2002, killing three Israelis. • A suicide bombing in
Ariel on 7 March 2002, which left wounded but no fatalities. •
A suicide bombing in a Netanya market in Israel, on 19 May 2002, killing three Israelis. This attack was also claimed by
Hamas, but the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades have identified the perpetrator on their website as one of their members. • A suicide bombing in the bus station at
Geha Junction in
Petah Tikva on 25 December 2003 which killed 4 Israelis. • A suicide bombing in
Bik'at HaYarden Regional Council on 22 May 2004, which left no fatalities. • A suicide bombing in the
Carmel Market in
Tel Aviv on 1 November 2004, which killed 3 Israelis. • The killing of four Israelis and another eight injured at a synagogue in
West Jerusalem on 18 November 2014. • A rocket attack which struck
Sha'ar HaNegev, on 26 June 2017, caused no injuries or damage. •
Murder of Rina Shnerb, August 23, 2019. • During the ongoing
Gaza war (2023–present), the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades published videos of their fighters storming Israeli watchtowers during the
Hamas-led October 7 attacks, and are actively participating in the conflict. == Capabilities ==