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.
Captain Daniel Perez's funeral was held in Jerusalem, although his body is still held by Hamas. A coffin with blood belonging to Perez gathered at his tank’s last battle site was lowered to the grave
Col. (Res.) Moshe Elad, Orientalist and Lecturer, discusses Hamas's recent actions regarding negotiations for hostage negotiations, human shields, and the future of northern Gaza leadership.
“The picture that has been presented in the last few days and weeks in the United States is completely different from what has been described,” Netanyahu said.
Israel is facing the most daunting and critical period in decades as IDF lawyers are trying to balance both global and domestic pressures.
Israel has already won the war on the battlefield. Hamas is a shell of what it was. But it is suffering a terrible loss on the battlefield of diplomacy.
Liri’s mother, Shira, spoke on Monday with "Kan B" about information she received from hostages released in November, which indicates that her daughter was exploited by her captors.
Mabhough has been in charge of all of Hamas's internal security forces both during the war and during peacetime.
The official explained that this is the first time since the current round of negotiations started that the negotiating team has more specific positions and discretion to finalize a variety of items.
Highlighting the impact of the conflict, it noted that "Since [Hamas's October 7 attack], more than 30,000 have been killed by Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, the majority of them women and children."
IDF enters Shifa hospital again • European leaders warn against Rafah offensive • Hostage talk delegation to have limited authority to act