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.
80% of Palestinians polled said they want Mahmoud Abbas to resign.
"Hamas won, Palestine lost": Amid a power struggle between Hamas and Fatah, the 16th anniversary of the terrorist group's takeover passed unnoticed.
Hatred-filled terrorists like Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah seek to undermine that reality for Jews and Palestinians alike.
Israel's government is fighting antisemitism on college campuses and is working with Chabad, Hillel and other organizations to create programs against antisemitism.
The terminal, the only crossing point between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, has been under Hamas' control since its violent takeover of the Gaza Strip in 2007.
Rosenfeld's family and the other victims are to receive NIS 1,090,000 in compensation from Hamad by court order.
It is time for Israelis to ask themselves what the government’s strategy is for dealing with Palestinian terror factions in Gaza.
Yusuf Masoud was arrested in 2003 and convicted of launching rockets at the Gush Katif settlement bloc before the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
The US and UNRWA have agreed to a new framework agreement regarding supporting UNRWA operations.
The visit comes amid reports about a possible rapprochement between Egypt and Iran, which has long been backing Hamas and PIJ.
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