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.
According to recent assessments by security officials, out of the 101 hostages, approximately 50 are believed to still be alive, including some foreign workers.
"To be deemed a terrorist entity under New Zealand legislation, we have to have evidence that the organization has knowingly undertaken terrorist activity,” PM Luxon said.
IDF 36th Division raids 150 targets, kills dozen of terrorists in two-month op. • Beirut's suburbs hit by waves of air strikes
"Young people are more receptive to antisemitic, Islamist and conspiracy theories, which are invading social networks," said Jonathan Arfi.
Police called on residents to stay in their homes as security personnel conducted a search for the culprits, a security source said.
Without changing the filters of Hezbollah and Hamas in the engine of the Middle East, the rot and corrosion will continue and eventually create problems whose cost to fix will be higher.
The IDF said that it is reviewing the information, adding that it could not currently confirm or refute its authenticity.
The planned move comes after reports that Hamas officials in Qatar were looking to relocate to Turkey.
UNIFIL says UN site hit by Hezbollah • Settlers attempt attack on IDF commander • Hezbollah leader allegedly eliminated in airstrike in Syria
The Scottish Greens have long campaigned to remove Hamas from the list of designated terrorist organizations.
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