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.

Hamas

US denies Iranian reports of captured submarine, explosions reportedly heard in Jordan, Iraq

BBC reviewing inclusion of 53 terrorists on list of journalists killed in Gaza during war - report

Netanyahu received three warnings from Egypt about Gaza including in days before October 7 - report

'Stop treating them like infants': Einat Wilf's plan to disarm Hamas in next government - interview

Hamas plans to run in Palestinian elections, vows to continue 'resistance,' leader Hayya says

Fatah moves to launch Palestinian national dialogue as divisions persist ahead of election

Israel Police launch investigation into mock explosive found attached to Hamas flag in West Bank

Gallant confirms Hamas warned Shin Bet ahead of Oct. 7, says Netanyahu barred him from US talks

WATCH: Israeli forces kill global jihadist terrorist who kidnapped Noa Argamani on October 7

Ismail Haniyeh's ex-bodyguard arrested for planning terror attack against European Jews - report

IDF grounds all 'drone ops.' following fatal crash, Houthis blame Saudi for Taiz market strike

Ed Sheeran’s statement on Gaza ignores Hamas and misses the point - opinion

Qatari Prime Minister accuses Netanyahu of sabotaging Gaza peace efforts for his own political gain

Sukkot 2026: The empty chair is gone, but the threat of Hamas and Iran remains - opinion