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 Izzadin 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, 2021's Guardian of the Walls, and 2024's Operation Swords of Iron.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists carried out an unprecedented invasion of southern Israel under the cover of widespread rocket-fire, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping hundreds to serve as hostages in Gaza. This started the ongoing Israel-Hamas War, which has seen the IDF carry out numerous strikes in Gaza and carrying out a ground invasion to wipe the terrorist group out.
In the year since, the IDF has managed to take out most of Hamas's leadership, including Saleh al-Arouri, Mohammed Deif, Yahya Sinwar, and Ismail Haniyeh.
Wouldn’t it be an amazing turn of events if the Gazan awakening ends up allowing for the release of our hostages and the end to a bitter war?
After 537 days in captivity, Rivka Bohbot breaks her silence following Hamas' release of a video showing her husband Elkana.
Israel’s political instability and divisions deepen, highlighting the need for reform amidst ongoing crises and foreign threats.
Released hostage shares details of suffering, demands deal • PMO repeats accusation that Ronen Bar 'cost many lives' on Oct. 7
After 500+ days of captivity, Einav Zangauker addresses her son Matan's captors in both Hebrew and Arabic, asking them to protect hostages until a deal is reached
The former defense minister said there was no question that returning the hostages needed to take priority over destroying Hamas.
The former president decried double standards against the state of Israel, such as those denying the Jewish state the right to exist.
A Palestinian group urged a mass “march of anger” to protest against what it described as years of oppression and misrule by Hamas.
During the operation, the troops located several tank shells within the Hamas infrastructure that was being used as a school.
Anti-Hamas protests should not be conflated with a pro-peace movement, at least until proven otherwise.
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