Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni Islamic terrorist organization that operates primarily in Gaza and the West Bank, with holdings in Arab countries throughout the Middle East.
Hamas was an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood political movement, and was established in 1987 in the wake of the First Intifada. According to Hamas’s charter, the organization was established to liberate Palestine from Israel in order to establish an Islamic state. It holds aspirations on all territory between the Mediterranean seas and the Jordan river, and refuses to acknowledge Israel in any capacity.
The group has a military wing, known as the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades. Hamas has used a wide range of tactics, but it does not discriminate in its targets, and often targets civilians. It is recognized by most Western states as a terrorist organization. Hamas has engaged in a number of military confrontations with Israel. Its military wing has employed tactics such as suicide bombings, rocket attacks, kidnapping attempts, and tunnel infiltrations against Israeli soldiers and civilians.
In 2006, the Palestinians held legislative elections in Gaza, but when Hamas won, there was a civil war, and Hamas seized full control of the Strip. Under Hamas, Gaza has been in a longstanding state of conflict with Israel. From the 2005 Israeli disengagement onwards, Hamas has continued to commit terrorist attacks against Israelis from Gaza, and several operations have been fought to quell Hamas attacks, including 2008's Cast Lead, 2011's Pillar of Defense, 2014's Protective Edge, and 2021's Guardian of the Walls.
This came after Arab media reports on the strike, omitting any mentions by the IDF that the journalists were also part of the terror group.
Al-Hayya reportedly takes helm of Hamas's al-Qassam Brigades • IDF strikes terrorists in Gaza, journalists reported among those hit
So thorough is the USA Today network article’s denial of any Palestinian agency that it blames the Jewish state for Palestinian antisemitism.
Along with highlighting the abuse suffered by hostages in Hamas captivity, the report also outlined hostages' struggles after their release and return home.
The ornaments include a photo of each of the 100 hostages still held captive by Hamas, which will be hung on the Christmas tree using a yellow ribbon associated with the struggle for their release.
It is past time to replace UNRWA - which has done less to help the Palestinians than to perpetuate the conflict - with organizations that are not rife with terrorists and terrorist enablers.
"There have never been better conditions for a deal. This is a historic opportunity. Let's not miss it," said Udi Goren, whose cousin was killed on October 7 and whose body is still held by Hamas.
Separately, an IAF aircraft conducted a precision strike, targeting a Hamas terrorist in the al-Furqan neighborhood of Gaza City.
Consistent eliminations have damaged the morale of Hamas operatives and disrupted the command-and-control capabilities of the terror group.
Weapons are flowing to the West Bank and enabling the growing terrorist threat, the building blocks of a kind of “Gazafication” are now in place.
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