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.
Not only are Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed being held against their will by Hamas, but they have not been permitted visits even by the Red Cross.
The idea of entering Gaza, left-wing activist Yoel Marshak said, was born in part out of his relationship with Palestinian journalist Sami Obeid.
We owe it to Sayed and Mengistu, and to our national collective consciousness that takes responsibility for the well-being of fellow Israelis.
The proposed alliance, whose chief goal is to confront Iranian threats and “expansionist” schemes, is expected to be at the top of the agenda of President Joe Biden during his visit to Israel and SA.
Hamas had announced on Monday that the health of one of the captives it is holding was deteriorating.
"Cynical and criminal" Hamas "holds mentally ill civilians in violation of all international conventions and laws," said the Prime Minister’s Office.
Some of the government's achievements, he said, involved economic growth, lowering unemployment and bringing the deficit down to zero.
We need new rules of engagement that won’t wait until there is a reason to shoot and worry about the response.
Hamas and other terror groups’ appetite is likely to increase after the collapse of the coalition, paving the way for increased attacks against Israel.
The terrorist organization had previously endorsed the revolt to overthrow Assad.
JPOST Digital Library
