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.
The proposal wouldn't remove Hamas from the Gaza Strip entirely, but rather remain as a solely political identiy.
The IDF probe found that the fighting lasted past October 7, with ambushes from Hamas terrorists for days afterwards.
A similar ban is being considered regarding Hezbollah, reveals David Zuberbühler, a Swiss parliamentarian who promoted the Hamas ban
2025 will be the year in which all weapons in Lebanon are brought under state authority, President Aoun told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.
Readers of The Jerusalem Post have their say.
A joint investigation by the Shin Bet, the IDF, and the Israel Police found that the terror cell had also executed three other attacks, including the March terror shooting in Ariel.
In the past 24 hours, the Air Force attacked more than 115 targets in the Gaza Strip, including launchers, military buildings, tunnels, terrorist squads, and other infrastructure.
Security expert Moshe Elad argues that the case of Sri Lanka proves that terror groups can, in fact, be completely defeated through military means.
Cunio was kidnapped along with his brother Ariel. The Cunio family said that they received a sign of life from David back in February.
The UK, Canada, and France do not see the cause-and-effect of Hamas’s use of the Gazan population to achieve its attempted goal of demonizing Israel.
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