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What Does the Recent Fighting in Gaza Mean for Iran?

Sirwan Kajjo

   Two days of intense fighting between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic
   Jihad (PIJ) militant group last week once again highlights Iran's
   expansionist ambitions in the Middle East, experts say.

   Founded in 1981, PIJ is a Sunni militant group based in the Gaza Strip
   that follows a radical religious ideology. It is the second-largest
   militant group in the Palestinian region.

   The PIJ reportedly receives financial and political support from Iran,
   and has for years been developing its rocket program with direct
   assistance from Tehran.

   In the latest conflagration, Israeli officials said that Islamic Jihad
   fired more than 450 rockets toward Israeli territory, paralyzing parts
   of Israel. The Israeli military responded immediately by targeted
   militant positions, killing at least 34 Palestinians.

   Despite an Egyptian-brokered cease-fire Thursday, several rockets were
   fired from Gaza toward Israel. Still, the truce seems to be largely
   holding.

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