Hamas

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. 

Mahmoud Abbas insists US includes PA in Gaza ceasefire negotiations - report

Abbas, with support from Saudi Arabia, stated that the PA needs to be at the negotiating table to discuss long-term security arrangements, N12 reported on Thursday.

 Mahmoud Abbas, PA President in front of a map of Gaza (illustrative).
 An IDF soldier in Gaza's Morag Corridor, April 2025.

What is the Morag Corridor and why is it important? - explainer

 Soldiers from the IDF's Nahal Brigade dismantle Hamas tunnels in Beit Hanun, Gaza Strip, Janury 3 2025.

IDF begins encircling Beit Hanun, destroying Hamas infrastructure in northern Gaza

 IDF soldiers operating throughout the Gaza Strip, July 9, 2025.

IDF responses to war crimes charges delayed again for months due to Iran op.


IDF conducts targeted operations in Lebanon, strike over 100 terror targets in Gaza

The military said these targets included terrorists, booby-trapped structures, weapons storage facilities, anti-tank missile launch posts, tunnels, and other sites. 

 IDF soldiers operating throughout the Gaza Strip, July 9, 2025.

We bombed Iran with precision - why can’t we control Gaza with purpose? - opinion

To achieve victory in Gaza, we must establish absolute control over the land, the people, and every critical resource.

 The campaign in Iran—for all its extraordinaryand heroic successes—also highlights our continuing tragic failure in Gaza. Militarily, Operation Rising Lion serves as a remarkable testament to our prowess in what the IDF callsthe “war between the wars” : campaigns based on intelligence, air force, a

IDF announces soldier killed in Gaza, Netanyahu: Good chance we will reach a ceasefire

'Conditions created' to advance hostage deal, IDF Chief of Staff Zamir says • Netanyahu, Hegseth meet at Pentagon • IDF encircles Beit Hanun, conducts targeted ops in Lebanon

 IDF soldiers operating throughout the Gaza Strip, July 9, 2025.

Zionists understand: You can revive reputations, but not dead Israelis - opinion

Israelis welcome the prospect of a future in which they are no longer surrounded by well-armed enemies determined to do them harm, even if it means being viewed negatively by the rest of the world.

 A DEMONSTRATION for the release of the hostages is held outside the US Consulate in Jerusalem on Monday. Hamas chooses to keep hostages, and no one unequivocally knows what pressures will free them, says the writer.

Israel's ‘kalaniyot’ still bloom: A symbol of enduring resilience - opinion

A teen’s journey from LA to Nir Oz – loss, hope, and Jewish roots

 First red anemone in the western Negev.

Israel Police investigates left-wing journalist for expressing joy at death of five IDF soldiers

"The world is a better place this morning, without five young men who participated in one of the most brutal crimes against humanity," haredi left-wing journalist, Israel Frey, wrote on X/Twitter.

 Israel Frey protests calling for the release of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip outside Hakirya Base in Tel Aviv, April 8, 2024.

If there is a ceasefire tomorrow, were the last four months of fighting 'worth it?' - analysis

How much more did Israel really defeat Hamas than it had already done, and how much did it lose in doing so?

 IDF soldiers operate in the Gaza Strip, July 8, 2025.

‘We must be their voice’: The campaign to expose Hamas sexual violence as weapon of war - comment

The Dinah Project is committed to ensuring the world never forgets the heinous sexual violence and gender atrocities on October 7, 2023, and the ongoing hostage abuse of hostages.

 THE SITE of the Nova music festival massacre.

Witkoff: Points of contention between Israel, Hamas ceasefire drop from four to one

The main difficulty in the hostage deal talks in Qatar is the issue of maps, meaning the deployment of IDF troops during the ceasefire.

US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff speaks during a dinner with US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Blue Room of the White House, July 7, 2025

These are the remaining 20 Israeli hostages presumed to be alive in Gaza

The names, ages, and history of the 20 remaining hostages that the Israeli authorities believe are still alive in Gaza. What do we know about them?

 Hostages Square in Tel Aviv as seen on July 7, 2025.

IDF soldiers killed due to yeshivas 'neglecting Torah study', former chief rabbi claims

Yitzhak Yosef condoled the families of the five soldiers killed in Gaza's Beit Hanun in an open letter, calling for increased Torah study, implicitly denouncing haredi draft attempts.

 Shas spiritual leader and former Sephardic chief rabbi, Yitzhak Yosef, seen during a weekly lecture at the Yazdim synagogue in Jerusalem, June 07, 2025; illustrative.