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Hamas

Hamas (Arabic: حَمَاسُ), an acronym of its official name, Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya (Arabic: حَرَكَةُ الْمُقَاوَمَةِ الِاسْلَامِيَّةِ, lit. "Islamic Resistance Movement"), is a reactionary Palestinian Sunni Islamist political movement in Gaza.

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حَرَكَةُ حَمَاسَ
Prime Minister of the Palestinian National AuthorityIsmail Haniyeh[1]
Foreign MinisterMahmoud Zahar[1]
HeadquartersGaza City, Gaza Strip
Student wingIslamic Bloc[2]
Ideology
Political positionRight-wing
ReligionIslam (Sunni)
International affiliationAxis of Resistance
Party flag
Flag of al-Qassam Brigades.svg
LeadersYahya Sinwar
Part of Muslim Brotherhood[3]
AlliesState allies:

Non-state allies:

Opponent(s)State opponents (in alphabetical order):

Non-state opponents:

Hamas militants

On October 7, 2023, Hamas took the lead in a series of attacks on Israel,[37] seen by some scholars as the worst massacre of Jews since the end of the Holocaust.[38] Under the 2025 Gaza war ceasefire, Hamas is supposed to keep the Gaza Strip as the IDF withdrew.[39] It has a history of terrorism[37] and alleged antisemitism.[40]

Name

Hamas is an acronym of the Arabic phrase Arabic: حَرَكَةُ الْمُقَاوَمَةِ الِاسْلَامِيَّةِ, or Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya or "Islamic Resistance Movement".

History

Hamas was started in 1987 by Ahmed Yassin and Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi after the beginning of the First Uprising against Israeli violence and occupation. It started as the Gaza branch of the Muslim Brotherhood organization in Egypt. In the 2006 legislative election, the party received 74 out of 132 seats in parliament by campaigning on clean government without corruption and affirming Palestinians' right to defend against Israeli occupation.[dubious – discuss]

Ideas

The party has supported the reestablishment of the Land of Palestine in all historic land, which includes the West Bank, Gaza, and the State of Israel.[41] The 2017 Hamas Charter stated that the party's struggle was with Zionists and Israeli terrorists.[clarification needed] In 2018, the United Nations voted to reject an American claim to condemn Hamas. Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told the Reuters news agency, "Rejecting the American drafted resolution against the resistance represents a blow to the American administration and reaffirms the legitimacy of the resistance."

Controversies

Violence

Main page: Palestinian political violence

Because of its history of suicide bombings and rocket strikes on civilians in Israel,[42] the United States, European Union and several countries call it a terrorist organisation. Particularly, Jordan has banned the group.[43]

Hamas gunmen capturing civilian hostages from Kibbutz Beéri on October 7, 2023.
Hamas militant storming the kibbutz Alumim in southern Israel during Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7, 2023.
Dashcam photo of a Hamas militiant capturing an Israeli civilian at the Supernova Sukkot Gathering, held near Re’im in the southern an-Naqab desert during Operation Al Aqsa Flood.
Home in Kibbutz Nahal Oz allegedly taken by Hamas fighters on 7 October, 2023.

Allegations of Antisemitism

Further information: Islam and fascism and Calls for the destruction of Israel

Scholar Esther Webman has said antisemitic rhetoric is frequently found in Hamas leaflets, which tend to equate Jews with Zionists to incite terrorism against Jews.[44]

The Hamas' Charter frames the group's raison d'être as being "against the Jews [...] Israel, Jews and Judaism [are a] challenge to Islam and the Moslem people" and makes it clear that[40]

The Day of Judgment will not come until Moslems fight the Jews [...] The stones and trees will say O Moslems [...] there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him.

The Hamas' Charter also blames the Freemasons, French Revolution, Russian Revolution, WWI and WWII on a "Jewish Zionist conspiracy."[40] In August 2003, senior Hamas official Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rantisi wrote in the Hamas newspaper Al-Risala:[45]

It is no longer a secret that the Zionists were behind the Nazis' murder of many Jews, and agreed to it, with the aim of intimidating them and forcing them to immigrate to Palestine.

In August 2009, Hamas forbade Palestinian children from studying the Holocaust, demonized by the Hamas as "a lie invented by the Zionists."[46]

Election

In early 2006, Hamas won a clear victory in the vote for the Palestinian legislative election. Voters saw Hamas as an alternative to exchange the long-ruling Fatah party, the main part of the PLO. This was due to how Fatah had not improved the Palestinian people's conditions and instead allegedly worsened conditions by corruption. There have been no elections since 2006.

Support

As of 2021, Qatar had given $1.8 billion in support to Hamas.[47] Iran provides up to $100 million per year to Palestinian groups, including Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and PFLP-GC.[48]

Local work

Hamas has shown its organizational ability by building health, education, and social services to help the population in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, where there are many poor people. Their efforts ended up increasing support to Hamas. In the first half of 2007, Hamas gained political control of the Gaza Strip, while Fatah keeps its headquarters in the West Bank.[41]

Hamas Media

  • Approximate presence of Hamas militants (blue) on 7–9 October 2023

  • Ruins of Rafah in January 2025 after Israel's Rafah offensive

  • Map of key Hamas leadership nodes. 2010.

  • Weapons found in a mosque during Operation Cast Lead, according to the IDF.

  • Exercise of al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza City, 27 January 2013

  • Hamas flags at the 25th anniversary rally in 2012

  • Aftermath of 1996 Jaffa Road bus bombings in which 26 people were killed

  • Hamas anti-tank rockets, captured by Israel Defense Forces during Operation Protective Edge

  • Pro-Hamas rally in Damascus, Syria.

Notes

  1. ↑ However, al-Qaeda endorsed the 7 October 2023 attacks. [36]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya (Hamas). Transnational and non state armed groups. Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research Harvard University. 2008. http://www.armed-groups.org/6/section.aspx/ViewGroup?id=57. Retrieved February 7, 2009. 
  2. ↑ "Hamas students wing heads students’ council at Al Najah University in West Bank". Middle East Monitor. 29 May 2023. https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230529-hamas-students-wing-heads-students-council-at-al-najah-university-in-west-bank/. Retrieved 19 November 2023. 
  3. ↑ Frisch, Hillel. Hamas: The Palestinian Muslim Brotherhood (in en). The Middle East in Focus. The Muslim Brotherhood: The Organization and Policies of a Global Islamist Movement (2010). New York: Palgrave Macmillan US. p. 89–102. ISBN 978-0-230-10687-1. doi:10.1057/9780230106871_7. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Qatar, Iran, Turkey and beyond: Hamas's network of allies. France 24 (October 14, 2023).
  5. ↑ Kingsley, Patrick. Egyptian army questions Mohamed Morsi over alleged Hamas terror links. The Guardian (July 26, 2013). Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  6. ↑ Adviser to Iran's Khamenei expresses support for Palestinian attacks: Report. AFP. October 7, 2023. https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2023/10/07/Adviser-to-Iran-s-Khamenei-expresses-support-for-Palestinian-attacks-Report. 
  7. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/15/world/middleeast/iran-iraq-hamas-houthis.html
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Most of Gaza is poor, but Hamas has cash. Where does it come from?. NBC News (October 25, 2023).
  9. ↑ Evidence shows Hamas militants likely used some North Korean weapons in attack on Israel. Associated Press (October 19, 2023).
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Ehl, David (May 15, 2021). What is Hamas and who supports it?. Deutsche Welle. https://www.dw.com/en/who-is-hamas/a-57537872. 
  11. ↑
  12. ↑ Abdelaziz, Khalid. Sudan closes door on support for Hamas (September 23, 2021)Reuters. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  13. ↑ Experts Weigh in on Regional Impact of Syria-Hamas Rapprochement. VOA News. October 20, 2022. https://www.voanews.com/a/experts-weigh-in-on-regional-impact-of-syria-hamas-rapprochement-teaser-/6798449.html. Retrieved October 8, 2023. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Gidda, Mirren (July 25, 2014). "Hamas Still Has Some Friends Left". Time. https://time.com/3033681/hamas-gaza-palestine-israel-egypt/. Retrieved October 18, 2023. 
  15. ↑ Hamas, PLO slam 'blatant US interference' in Venezuela affairs. Middle East Monitor (25 January 2019).
  16. ↑ Houthis, Hamas merge diplomacy around prisoner releases – Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East (5 January 2021)Al-Monitor.
  17. ↑ Hamas awards 'Shield of Honor' to Houthi representative in Yemen, sparking outrage in Saudi Arabia. JNS.org (16 June 2021).
  18. ↑ Polisario reaffirms its determination to continue struggle until right to self-determination is restored (in en). Sahara Press Service (October 10, 2023). Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  19. ↑ Fabian, Emanuel. Officer, 2 soldiers killed in clash with terrorists on Lebanon border; mortars fired (in en-US). The Times of Israel. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  20. ↑ (in ar) الجبهة الشعبية: قرار الإدارة الأمريكية بتوفير الدعم للكيان هدفه تطويق النتائج الاستراتيجية لمعركة طوفان الأقصى. https://www.alahednews.com.lb/fastnewsdetails.php?fstid=217239. Retrieved 8 October 2023. 
  21. ↑ Palestinian Factions: Hamas and PIJ | Wilson Center (in en). www.wilsoncenter.org. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  22. ↑ "Qassam Brigades announces control of 'Erez Crossing'". Roya News. 7 October 2023. https://en.royanews.tv/news/44975/2023-10-07. Retrieved 7 October 2023. 
  23. ↑ IRAN UPDATE, OCTOBER 14, 2023. ISW. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  24. ↑ Iran Update, October 17, 2023 (17 October 2023)Institute for the Study of War.
  25. ↑ Fabian, Emanuel. IDF says it killed head of military wing of Gaza's Popular Resistance Committees. The Times of Israel (19 October 2023). Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  26. ↑ New Jihadi Group Al-Farouq Brigades Threatens To Launch Attacks Against Israel From Sinai, Warns Egyptian Army Not To Stand In Their Way: It Is The Duty Of Every Muslim To Take Up Arms And Wage Jihad Against Israel, Avenge The Blood Of The Martyrs In Gaza (in en). MEMRI. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  27. ↑ hhanes. Armed group in the Sinai declares it will fight Israel (in en). FDD (2024-01-18). Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  28. ↑ Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses importance of providing full protection to citizens, ending battle between Hamas, Israeli Forces (2023-10-09)Bahrain Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  29. ↑ Bahrain denounces Hamas kidnappings. www.timesofisrael.com (2023-10-09). Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  30. ↑ Chinese ambassador: Hamas attack was 'outrageous,' but peace requires two states. Maayan Hoffman, ILTV May 12, 2025
  31. ↑ Is Jordan planning to restore ties with Hamas?. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-716243. 
  32. ↑ Israeli envoy says Taiwan a good friend, China's response to Hamas attacks 'disturbing'. Reuters
  33. ↑ How the US became Israel's closest ally (October 13, 2023).
  34. ↑ What Effect ISIS' Declaration Of War Against Hamas Could Have In The Middle EastNPR.
  35. ↑ AFP. Hamas arrests Salafi sheikh over alleged Islamic State ties - Radical cleric Adnan Khader Mayat detained on Sunday by Gaza security forces. Times of Israel. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  36. ↑ Burke, Jason (2023-10-22). "Al-Qaida and IS call on followers to strike Israeli, US and Jewish targets" (in en-GB). The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077 . https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/22/al-qaida-and-is-call-on-followers-to-strike-israeli-us-and-jewish-targets. Retrieved 2024-01-23. 
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 Hamas | Definition, History, Ideology, & Facts. Britannica. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  38. ↑
  39. ↑ https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/hamas-reemerge-gaza-israel-war-rcna189088. Retrieved 2025-01-29.
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 40.2
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 Hamas. Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  42. ↑ HamasHaaretz.com. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  43. ↑ Hirst, David (November 22, 1999). "Jordan curbs Hamas" (in en-GB). The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077 . https://www.theguardian.com/world/1999/nov/22/israel. Retrieved November 8, 2023. 
  44. ↑ Webman, Esther. Anti-semitic Motifs in the Ideology of Hizballah and Hamas, Project for the study of Anti-semitism, Tel Aviv University, 1994, p. 22. ISBN 965-222-592-4
  45. ↑ David S. Wyman Institute for Holocaust Studies: Welcome (2 December 2004)wymaninstitute.org. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  46. ↑ "Hamas rips U.N. for teaching the Holocaust." Archived 2009-09-04 at the Wayback Machine Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA). 31 August 2009. 31 August 2009.
  47. ↑ https://www.dw.com/en/who-is-hamas/a-57537872
  48. ↑ Outlaw regime: A chronicle of Iran's destructive activitiesIran Action Group - U.S. Department of State.

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