| dc.description.abstract | As the Arab Spring unfolded in the early months of 2011 in the Middle East and North Africa, the international Salafi-Jihadi movement would rise in importance on the local, regional and international agenda. Gazan Jihadists, while often in quarrel with the ruling party Hamas, had until the Arab Spring been described as having no “operational” or “organizational” ties to the international Jihadist community. After 2011, and the bourgeoning of Salafi-Jihadi groups which had germinated out of Al-Qaida branches, some features of the local Gazan groups have evolved. This thesis argues that although there is continuity in the trajectories of some of the Gazan Salafi-Jihadis, there is also a dramatic change in their violent behaviour possibly beginning before 2011, but coming into fruition in the period following the Arab Spring. This analysis seeks to shed light on developments and trends in an important subject in the Middle East, potentially having serious consequence for the international Jihadist movement. The dissertation is meant as a contribution to the study of armed groups and intra-rebel dynamics. It seeks to discuss the trajectories of Salafi-Jihadism in general, and to shed light on these trajectories for rebel groups operating in a context of foreign occupation, as well as an Islamist government in particular. | eng |