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 Izz ad-Din 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, and 2021's Guardian of the Walls.
Mohammed Nafees Ahmed, 32, celebrated the deaths of IDF soldiers, police said.
Current progress in the talks remains stuck for the time being, as the two sides remain at an impasse over a couple of Israeli demands.
Netanyahu is set to cement his strategic goals: tightening his military control over Gaza, thwarting Iran's nuclear ambitions, and capitalizing on the dismantling of Tehran's allies.
If Hamas truly cares about the Palestinian people, they will "they will say yes and do it now," Blinken said.
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Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli claimed that CAIR had ties to Hamas and was 'outrageously antisemtic.'
Fourteen months after October 7, Israel's southern communities struggle to balance rebuilding with preserving memories as tourists visit attack sites while residents return home.
The ADIR Challenge Foundation, which focuses on sourcing, incubating, and developing solutions that innovate the fight against antisemitism.
Despite the reported sticking points, “the status of ongoing negotiations in Doha is excellent," Hamas sources said.
The rule of silence does not apply to the families of the hostages, who need to speak out to keep the issue on the agenda and ensure it remains a top priority.
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