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.
Riverway to the Sea announced the move last week "in response to escalating repression and growing global momentum for justice in Palestine."
The gaps between Israel and Hamas are narrow, a source familiar with the talks told The Jerusalem Post.
Additionally, soldiers from the IDF's Nahal Brigade, under the 162nd Division, operated in Gaza's Daraj Tuffah.
The full report, set to be released later this week by the "Dinah Project," presents further evidence that Hamas used sexual violence as a weapon against Israelis during the October 7 massacre.
Smotrich responded to the leak from the meeting, while criticizing Netanyahu and the cabinet over their decision to move forward on Gaza aid.
Netanyahu clashes with Zamir over aid • New report reveals extent of Hamas's sexual violence on Oct. 7 • Rocket from Khan Yunis lands in open area, not intercepted due to human error
Victory requires more than military power. It demands moral clarity, strategic restraint, and a commitment to the values that underpin the Jewish state.
Ben-Gvir stated that the true goal of the war is the collapse of Hamas, and that the deal proposed would distance Israel from its goal, as well as ‘rewarding terrorism.’
What comes next after the July 5 incident is important in showing that GHF will stay the course. It will also be necessary to learn lessons from the incident.
The reports came after Hamas said it discussed the current deal framework with other Palestinian factions, and they were "unified" in their "positive" response.
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