Palestinian Istishhadia: A Developing Instrument

This article delineates and analyzes the phenomenon of the Palestinian suicide bombing campaign. Two central and distinct periods are proposed in the article in reference to this phenomenon; the first spans from 1993–2000 and the second from 2000 onward. The two periods are differentiated by an increased level of intensity in the second period, an enlarged number of participating organizations and volunteers that occurred following the blockade of the peace process that was initiated through the Oslo Accords. This article examines several aspects of Palestinian suicide terrorism including manners of recruitment, persuasion, modus operandi, and concurrently, it observes the Israeli countermeasures and their ramifications.