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.
Our enemies spread lies about Israel, portraying the victim as the aggressor. We must counter these lies with truth, educating the world about the justness of our cause.
The US government proposed extending the Gaza ceasefire beyond Ramadan and Passover, and warned Hamas that time is running out.
Israeli official to 'Post': Hamas's intention to release only hostages with American citizenships is "a manipulation intended to sabotage negotiations."
MY WORD: Collective and personal memories in the Gilboa mountains.
47 Israelis killed, 76 taken hostage by around 400 terrorists • All IDF commanders killed in the first wave, all but six houses damaged
From ancient Persia to today, the Jewish people have faced enemies seeking their destruction—but like in the Purim story, they continue to rise, fight, and endure.
Irish pro-Israel activists and groups are rising up and confronting these challenges, while maintaining the Zionist flame until Israel's ambassador returns.
Southern Command chief Yaniv Asor said the first mission was to destroy Hamas and the second was to bring back the hostages – both those alive and dead.
Shem Tov told crowds of his experience in captivity, before removing his hostage portrait along with friends Maya and Itay Regev.
'No matter what, Iran was going to ally with Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis,' Burns said.
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