Hamas

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.

Video shows current Hamas Gaza chief in 2022 ‘war room’ managing dry run of Oct. 7 invasion

A 2022 video aired by Channel 13 captured Hamas leader Izz al-Din al-Haddad managing a simulated invasion. The footage showed the group practicing a sea raid and celebrating "total destruction."

FEBRUARY 24, 2026|ByTHE MEDIA LINE STAFF

Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the commander of the northern Gaza brigade, and alleged replacement for Hamas military leader Mohammed Sinwar.

People queue as Israelis are evacuated from the southern town of Sderot, near Israel's border with Gaza, October 15, 2023

Gov’t, IDF had no approved mass civilian evacuation plan pre-Oct. 7, comptroller report finds

As of October 7, Israel still has zero approved national operational evacuation plans and has conducted no emergency drills for a mass civilian displacement scenario, the comptroller found.

FEBRUARY 24, 2026|BySARAH BEN-NUN

World leaders gather during a charter announcement for US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace, in Davos, Switzerland, January 22, 2026

Authority in Board of Peace is structured around Trump, not its members, legal experts say

This institutional design may explain why several European governments have stayed out. The United Kingdom, France, and Germany have declined to participate. The Vatican has formally refused.

FEBRUARY 24, 2026|ByGIORGIA VALENTE/THE MEDIA LINE

Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel Yevgen Korniychuk attends a ceremony marking the two years anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in Tel Aviv on February 23, 2023.

'Russia is to Ukraine what Hamas is to Israel': Ukrainian ambassador marks four years of war

He added that Ukraine has formally designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.

FEBRUARY 24, 2026|ByGUY ELSTER

Bearing witness: Inside the two-year investigation into October 7 atrocities

A two-year investigation reveals the systematic terror inflicted by Hamas – preserving survivor voices and demanding accountability

FEBRUARY 24, 2026ByCOCHAV ELKAYAM-LEVY

DR. COCHAV ELKAYAM-LEVY, head, Civil Commission on Crimes on Oct. 7 by Hamas Against Women and Children.

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Bereaved families support compromise framework to probe October 7 failures

The proposal, described by the mother of a slain hostage as “a breakthrough unlike anything I’ve seen," would see the commission be granted full traditional state powers.

FEBRUARY 23, 2026ByKESHET NEEV

Friends and family members of October 7 victims grieve over loved ones' deaths at the site of the Nova music festival a year after the Hamas massacre.

‘I’ll shout Shema in New York’: Freed hostage Segev Kalfon launches US Chabad tour

"They didn't let me shout Shema Yisrael in Gaza," Kalfon said. "I'll shout Shema Yisrael in New York."

FEBRUARY 23, 2026ByESTHER DAVIS

Former hostage Segev Kalfon, with his family, in a helicopter on their way to the hospital. October 14, 2025.

Australia Islamic school investigated after director shares Hamas video with prayer for victory

The school's director shared the video of Hamas on his public Instagram account on February 15 with the caption “Ameen. Ameen. Ameen”.

FEBRUARY 23, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

A PRO-PALESTINIAN rally is held outside Sydney Opera House, last month. From Sydney to New York, thousands called for the genocide of millions of Jews, celebrating October 7 as an act of defiance against evil.

Five people in France indicted for funding Hamas under guise of humanitarian aid

According to PNAT, the individuals were formally charged on February 20, following an initial operation in January 2024 that involved searches of their organization's headquarters.

FEBRUARY 23, 2026ByMATHILDA HELLER

Hamas terrorists stand guard in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, February 22, 2025

Anti-Jewish attacks surge across New York City after Oct. 7, and Mamdani is not to blame - opinion

Since the October 7 massacre, NYC has seen a dramatic rise in antisemitism, from street harassment to synagogue threats.

FEBRUARY 23, 2026ByMICAH HALPERN

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is seen at a press conference after a car slammed into Chabad headquarters, last month. The election of Mamdani is the product of anti-Jewish hatred, not the cause, the writer says.

BBC removes 'Free Palestine' from BAFTA winner Akinola Davies Jr's acceptance speech

Winner Akinola Davies Jr.'s original speech ended with the words, "For Nigeria, for London, Congo, Sudan, free Palestine."

FEBRUARY 23, 2026ByHANNAH BROWN

Drones smuggling weapons, drugs from Egypt pose serious risk to Israeli security

Arab affairs expert Ruth Wasserman Lande, the former deputy ambassador to Cairo, told The Jerusalem Post that the released terrorists in Egypt posed a local and regional threat.

FEBRUARY 23, 2026ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD

A GUN being smuggled from the West Bank to east Jerusalem, found by Israel Police, February 15, 2026.

Border Police officer killed by accidental IDF gunfire, investigation underway

Meanwhile, the IDF killed a terrorist trying to throw explosive devices in the West Bank, authorities arrested a Palestinian for inciting pro-Hamas violence, and the Gaza Division gained a new head.

FEBRUARY 22, 2026ByJAMES GENN

Policeman Uri Mektaev, 18, killed at his home, February 22, 2026.

Former hostage Daniella Gilboa celebrates freedom in her debut single

Daniella Gilboa releases her powerful debut single, "Where Everything Ends," reflecting her journey from captivity to healing and hope.

FEBRUARY 22, 2026ByHANNAH BROWN

Released hostage Daniella Gilboa returning to her home in Petah Tikva, February 5, 2025.