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.
However, the report does not account for journalists being linked with Hamas or PIJ when being detained or killed by Israeli authorities.
It's important to understand how abuse of women is a key part of how Hamas remains in power.
Odeh wrote on X, "Happy about the release of the hostages and prisoners. From here, both nations must be freed from the burden of occupation. We were all born free."
Emily is "doing much better than any of us could ever have anticipated," her mother Mandy said.
President Isaac Herzog's decision to award Platt and other honorees was "especially poignant and meaningful because it's being given to leaders in the Diaspora."
Classified documents regarding the assassinations of JFK, RFK, and MLK are to be released. Trump added that "other topics of great interest" will have classified records declassified.
Nine years later, Israel fulfilled its promise and brought Oron Shaul back home.
Can international plans rebuild a decimated Gaza and ensure lasting stability?
90 Palestinian security prisoners released, IDF deploys reinforcements across West Bank
Hope and heartbreak as first hostages return under fragile ceasefire agreement.
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