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suspected of collaborating with Israel. At least five US citizens four
of them dual US-Israeli citizens were killed in al-Aqsa s attacks. In
January 2002, al-Aqsa claimed responsibility for the first suicide
bombing carried out by a female.
STRENGTH
Unknown.
LOCATION/AREA OF OPERATION
Al Aqsa operates in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza Strip and has
claimed attacks inside all three areas. It may have followers in
Palestinian refugee camps in southern Lebanon.
EXTERNAL AID
Unknown.
Palestine Liberation Front (PLF)
DESCRIPTION
Broke away from the PFLP-GC in the late 1970 s. Later, split again
into pro-PLO, pro-Syrian, and pro-Libyan factions. Pro-PLO faction
led by Muhammad Abbas (a.k.a. Abu Abbas) had been based in
Baghdad. Abbas himself was detained by Coalition Forces in April
2003 and subsequently died in custody of natural causes in March
2004. . . .
ACTIVITIES
The Abu Abbas led faction is known for aerial attacks against Israel.
Abbas s group also was responsible for the attack in 1985 on the
Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro and the murder of US citizen Leon
Klinghoffer. Has become more active since the start of the al-Aqsa
intifadah, and several PLF members have been arrested by Israeli
authorities for planning attacks in Israel and the West Bank.
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APPENDIX 1 " PROFILES OF ISLAMIC EXTREMIST AND INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST GROUPS AND STATE SPONSORS 415
STRENGTH
Unknown.
LOCATION/AREA OF OPERATION
Based in Iraq since 1990 and has a presence in Lebanon and the West
Bank.
EXTERNAL AID
Had received support mainly from Iraq. Has received support from
Libya in the past.
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)
DESCRIPTION
Marxist-Leninist group founded in 1967 by George Habash as a
member of the PLO when it broke away from the Arab Nationalist
Movement. The PFLP does not view the Palestinian struggle as a reli-
gious one, seeing it instead as a broader revolution against Western
imperialism. The group earned a reputation for spectacular interna-
tional attacks, including airline hijackings that have killed at least 20
US citizens. The PFLP is opposed to the Oslo process. . . .
ACTIVITIES
Committed numerous international terrorist attacks during the 1970s.
Since 1978 has conducted attacks against Israeli or moderate Arab tar-
gets, including killing a settler and her son in December 1996. The
PFLP has stepped up its operational activity since the start of the cur-
rent intifadah highlighted by its assassination of the Israeli Tourism
Minister in October 2001 to avenge Israel s killing of the PFLP
Secretary General earlier that year.
STRENGTH
Unknown.
LOCATION/AREA OF OPERATION
Syria, Lebanon, Israel, West Bank, and Gaza Strip.
EXTERNAL AID
Receives safe haven and some logistic assistance from Syria.
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416 APPENDIXES
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine General Command (PFLP-GC)
DESCRIPTION
Split from the PFLP in 1968, claiming it wanted to focus more on
fighting and less on politics. Violently opposed to Arafat s PLO. Led
by Ahmad Jabril, a former captain in the Syrian Army. Jabril s son,
Jihad, was killed by a car bomb in May 2002. Closely tied to both
Syria and Iran. . . .
ACTIVITIES
Carried out dozens of attacks in Europe and the Middle East during
the 1970s and 1980s. Known for cross-border terrorist attacks into
Israel using unusual means, such as hot air balloons and motorized
hang gliders. Primary focus now on guerrilla operations in southern
Lebanon and small-scale attacks in Israel, West Bank, and Gaza Strip.
STRENGTH
Several hundred.
LOCATION/AREA OF OPERATION
Headquartered in Damascus with bases in Lebanon.
EXTERNAL AID
Receives logistic and military support from Syria and financial sup-
port from Iran.
Kahane Chai a.k.a. Kach
DESCRIPTION
Stated goal is to restore the biblical state of Israel. Kach (founded by
radical Israeli-American rabbi Meir Kahane) and its offshoot Kahane
Chai, which means Kahane Lives, (founded by Meir Kahane s son
Binyamin following his father s assassination in the United States)
were declared terrorist organizations in March 1994 by the Israeli
Cabinet under the 1948 Terrorism Law. This followed the groups
statements in support of Dr. Baruch Goldstein s attack in February
1994 on the al-Ibrahimi Mosque Goldstein was affiliated with
Kach and their verbal attacks on the Israeli Government. Palestinian
gunmen killed Binyamin Kahane and his wife in a drive-by shooting
in December 2000 in the West Bank. . . .
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