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.
Mohamad Hamad, 23, and Talya A. Lubit, 24, a Jewish Pittsburgh resident, were previously indicted for defacing synagogues with pro-Palestinian graffiti.
The Hamas-led, Iranian-backed invasion and mega-atrocity on October 7, 2023, when 1,200 were murdered and 251 abducted to Gaza, was an event that has changed the world, not just Israel.
"Those who weep for the victims of Nazism are now the masters of genocide in our time," the statement added.
"More countries should follow suit and join the fight against Iranian aggression and terrorism," Sa'ar added.
The probe found that only at 1:30 p.m. did the first IDF troop enter the kibbutz, just four minutes after the last terrorists left.
IDF probe into Nir Yitzhak reveals army failed to protect kibbutz on Oct. 7 • US Ambassador Mike Huckabee meets with hostage families
As rockets fall silent—for now—residents, soldiers, builders, and entrepreneurs race to rebuild northern Israel, balancing trauma, hope, courage, and politics.
Zaher al-Wahidi, an official from the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry claimed many of the removed names would likely be returned.
"The future of our country is still in our hands" says Adam Milstein. We have overcome external enemies and internal divisions.
First and foremost, Mr. President, continue your efforts to bring home all 59 of our hostages, alive and all at once. This won’t happen without your pressure.
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