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. 

Gaza militia leader Abu Shabab: We do not see the Israeli people as our enemy

Abu Shabab even hinted at a future in politics: "We will be what our people want us to be. We will not impose any political system on their will." 

 Gaza militia leader Yasser Abu Shabab with the backdrop of the Gaza Strip.
 IDF soldiers operate throughout the Gaza Strip, July 19, 2025.

IDF operates in Beit Hanun, Gaza City overnight while IAF strikes over 90 terror targets

 Druze residents protest near the Israeli-Syrian border fence in solidarity with their community in Syria, July 16, 2025.

Syrian presidency announces 'comprehensive' ceasefire in Sweida, IAF strikes 90 targets in Gaza

 US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, December 5, 2024 (illustration).

Antony Blinken: US, partners 85% done on Gaza ceasefire before Trump


Israel has 'made significant strides' in Qatar talks, Hamas is curbing progress - Israeli official

"The flexibility and constructive approach shown by Israel in the negotiations are not matched by Hamas,” the official said.

 Demonstrators protest for the release of Israelis held hostage in the Gaza Strip, outside Hakirya Base in Tel Aviv, July 12, 2025.

Hamas says it will not agree to an interim truce if latest round of talks fail

The terrorist organization also said that if an agreement was not reached in the latest round of ceasefire talks, the group would not agree to an interim truce or partial hostage deal in the future.

 Hamas terrorists carry grenade launchers at the funeral of Marwan Issa, a senior Hamas deputy military commander who was killed in an Israeli airstrike during the conflict between Israel and Hamas, February 7, 2025.

IDF confirms death of Hamas commander who infiltrated Israel on Oct. 7

Muhammad Uthayn, Commander of Hamas’ Daraj Tuffah Battalion and one of the perpetrators of the October 7 massacre, was confirmed killed by the IDF.

 IDF confirms death of Hamas commander Muhammad Uthayn, July 18, 2025.

Biden-era tax dollars funded anti-Netanyahu, judicial reform protest groups, US gov't report finds

The investigation also revealed that the administration may have funded groups with ties to US-designated terrorist organizations such as Hamas.

(Illustrative) Former US President Joe Biden speaks during a visit to Vernon Electric Cooperative in Westby, Wisconsin, US, September 5, 2024.

Israel at War day 651: What's going on in Syria, Yemen?

Israeli-Druze group crosses border into Syria • Netanyahu tells pope hostage talks progressing • Hamas claims it proposed releasing all hostages • IDF confirms deaths of four terrorists in Gaza

 Members of the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas and mourners attend the funeral of Al-Qassam fighters who were killed during the war between Israel and Hamas in the Al-Shati camp, in Gaza City, February 28, 2025.

Israel makes progress on Gaza talks, Hamas may have 'minor' comments, sources tell 'Post'

One mediator described Israel’s new map as “a breakthrough,” though sources believe at least a few more days well be needed to reach a final agreement.

 Israelis attend a rally calling for the release of Israelis held hostage by Hamas terrorists in Gaza, outside the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem, July 13, 2025.

Senior Hamas commander altered appearance to hide from IDF, Arabic spox. says

A photo that shows how Izzadine Haddad, the commander of Hamas's Gaza City Brigade, changed his appearance was found in a terror tunnel under Khan Yunis's European Hospital.

 A before (R) and after (L) side-by-side showing Izzadine Haddad, Commander of Hamas's Gaza City Brigade, in a photo found which appears to show an altered appearance, July 2025.

IDF builds secret northern Gaza outpost that will stop future Hamas invasions

The Jerusalem Post visited a new, secluded IDF outpost dubbed "Israela," built to prevent any future potential invasion from the Gaza Strip.

Jerusalem Post IDF correspondent Yonah Jeremy Bob visits IDF base in the Northern Gaza strip

WATCH: IDF kills terrorists, destroys tunnels in Gaza, Lebanon strikes

The IDF killed Hassan Ahmed Sabra, a commander in Hezbollah's naval force, and Iyad Nasr, deputy commander of Hamas's Jabalya Battalion, who was involved in the October 7 massacre.

 Weapons found by IDF troops in the Gaza Strip, July 2025.

Exodigo’s underground mapping technology draws attention with $96m. series B funding boost

The IDF has been working for years and even had a brigade-size unit, whose task is to develop new technologies and tactics for underground warfare.

 Illustration of Exodigo's mapping technology, showing underground infrastructure below a city.

'Yahud' should be translated as Jews, not Israelis, experts tell 'Post' in light of BBC inquiry

The BBC stated there were no issues with translating Arab word Yahud as "Jews," "Israel," or “Israeli forces,” despite criticism from Arabic CAMERA earlier in 2025.

A pedestrian walks past a BBC logo at Broadcasting House in central London