Database: Identifiers of Designated Islamic Terrorist Organizations
Palestine Liberation Front
Designation Status (as of October 12, 2026)
| US State Dept FTO | Listed Palestine Liberation Front (PLF) since October 8, 1997 |
|---|---|
| US Treasury OFAC SDN (SDGT) | Listed PALESTINE LIBERATION FRONT - ABU ABBAS FACTION |
| UK Proscribed | Not listed official list |
| EU Terrorist Lists | Not listed official list |
| Canada Listed Entities | Listed Palestine Liberation Front (PLF) since November 13, 2003 |
| Australia Listed | Not listed official list |
Profile written 2014 The profile below is the original Jihad Intel text and has not been updated. Designation status above is current.
Designated as terrorist by: Canada, United States
Base of operations: Lebanon, Palestinian Territories
Background: START (University of Maryland)
Background: Institute for the Study of Violent Groups
Founded independently but later existing as part of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and PFLP-General Command, the Palestine Liberation Front (PLF) split from the latter in 1977 and further divided into pro-PLO, pro-Syrian, and pro-Libyan factions. In 1985, the pro-PLO wing headed by Muhammad Zaidan (Abu Abbas) hijacked the Italian-owned cruise ship Achille Lauro and held the crew and passengers hostage in the Mediterranean. Disabled American Leon Klinghoffer was killed and thrown overboard. Abbas fled to Iraq. The PLF, known for its unique instruments of terror, such as hand gliders, kept attacking Israel into the 1990s. Though Abbas agreed to abandon terrorism following the 1993 Oslo Accords, the primarily nationalist and secular group's goals continue to include bringing an end to the state of Israel and establishing a Palestinian state in its place. Abbas was captured by U.S. forces in Iraq in 2003 and died in custody. Today, the PLF mainly finds support in Lebanese refugee camps.
