Popular Resistance Committees

Popular Resistance Committees لجان المقاومة الشعبية
Emblem of the Popular Resistance Committees
Leader(s)	Jamal Abu Samhadana (2000-2006) 'Amir Qarmoot Abu As-Sa'id (2006-2008) Kamal al-Nirab (2008-2011) Zuhir al-Qaisi (2011-2012) Ayman al-Shashniya (2012-present)
Dates of operation	2000-present
Split from	Fatah
Active region(s)	Gaza Strip
Ideology	Anti-Zionism Palestinian nationalism Palestinianism Armed struggle Islamic Fundamentalism
Status	Designated as terrorist organization by the United States and Israel.
Means of revenue	Iran and Hezbollah

The Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) (Arabic: لجان المقاومة الشعبية, Lijān al-Muqāwama al-Shaʿbiyya) is a coalition of a number of armed Palestinian groups opposed to what they regard as the conciliatory approach of the Palestinian Authority and Fatah towards Israel. The PRC is especially active in the Gaza Strip, through its military wing, the Al-Nasser Salah al-Deen Brigades. The PRC has planned and executed a number of varied operations, but specializes in planting roadside bombs and vehicle explosive charges - directed against military and civilian convoys.

Formed in late 2000 by former Fatah and Tanzim member Jamal Abu Samhadana, the PRC is composed primarily of ex-Fatah fighters and al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades members and is alleged by Israel to be inspired and financed by Hezbollah. The present leader of PRC is Ayman al-Shashniya.

The PRC is believed to be the third strongest faction active in the Gaza Strip, after Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and has been designated a terrorist organization by Israel and the United States.

The PRC was formed in late 2000 by former Fatah and Tanzim member Jamal Abu Samhadana, and is composed primarily of ex-Fatah fighters and al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades members.

On 15 October 2003, explosives destroyed a US diplomatic convoy at Beit Hanoun, killing three security guards and severely wounding a diplomat. The PRC initially claimed responsibility for the attack, but later denied carrying out the attack, saying it was against Palestinian interests. The US demanded that the Palestinian National Authority find those responsible and bring them to justice. Palestinian officials said that because of lack of progress in the attack investigation, the US halted financial support for the PA and placed unofficial sanctions on its accounts. After heavy US pressure, the Palestinian Authority arrested several PRC members, accusing them of being responsible. The PRC confirmed the men were PRC members. The PA tried the four "suspects" in a Palestinian military court, but intelligence agencies dismissed the tribunal as a "mock trial" and said while the suspects were PRC activists, they were not those responsible for the attack. The men were released in March 2004.