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.
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.
Construction of such corridors is meant to assist with both defensive and "strategic offensive" operations in the Gaza Strip, the IDF said.
IDF reveals over 85,000 seized Hezbollah items, inside story on pager attack, how it blocked Tel Aviv terror • IDF clears roads in northern Gaza • Pressure on Hamas continues
An IDF Brigade wounded was moderately wounded in an explosive attack in Tulkarm during a West Bank operation while traveling in an armored vehicle with another senior officer.
Iran claims Israel's admission of assassinating former Hamas leader Haniyeh justifies its October missile attack, escalating diplomatic tensions after Katz's recent statements.
Officials suspect that Mohammed Sinwar is refusing to hand over the list, stifling a breakthrough in negotiations.
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