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.
"After 600 days, I am experiencing a sense of burnout that very few people across the news industry can really relate to."
Israel must end the current conflict with Hamas, free hostages, and prevent future attacks. Lasting peace depends on political will from both Israelis and Palestinians.
The IDF reported that dozens of terrorists have been killed during the broader campaign, and extensive infrastructure has been destroyed.
10 living hostages and 18 hostage bodies would be released for a 60-day ceasefire, minor IDF withdrawal, and aid distribution changes.
After October 7, online antisemitism has surged and puts diaspora Jews in harm's way.
IDF publishes worker's death in Gaza • IDF calls on civilians to evacuate from Nuseirat
It has been 600 days since 251 Israeli hostages were abducted by Hamas during the October 7 attacks, with 58 remaining in captivity.
Hamas said that it agreed to a framework for a permanent Gaza ceasefire with US special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Hamas's political leadership has suffered blows, but its underground tunnel network remains a significant threat.
On May 13, the IDF dropped a large number of bombs on a tunnel hideout under a hospital in Gaza in order to target Sinwar.
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