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.
“This is not a clash of civilizations,” he said to applause at the opening, describing a world in upheaval. “It’s a clash between barbarism and civilization.”
In the case of the video, a Hamas spokesperson claimed it was a forgery, and researchers at Microsoft who reviewed the video backed up that claim.
The speech in Congress was nice, but Israelis want action and change. That does not come in a speech.
Netanyahu meets Biden and Harris • Officials accuse Israel of changing ceasefire plans • Hamas official dies in Israeli prison
"From the moment of his arrest, Sheikh Abu Ara, like all prisoners, has faced unprecedented crimes," the reports claim.
In a speech to the US Congress on Wednesday, Netanyahu said that Israel was engaged "in intense efforts" to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza.
Russian-Chinese interest in Palestinian reconciliation is perhaps in fact a method of strengthening an anti-Western bloc as a whole.
For months, Washington has repeatedly urged Israel to craft a realistic post-war plan for Gaza and warned that the absence of it could trigger lawlessness and chaos as well as a comeback by Hamas.
“Hamas is coming,” was scrawled in red across the face of the the Christopher Columbus Memorial Fountain at Union Station, alongside slogans, such as “free Gaza” and “all Zionists are bastards.”
Despite past criticisms, a right-wing Israeli woman thanks President Biden for his steadfast support and leadership during the October 7th attack.
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