Hamas

Hamas is a Palestinian Islamist political organization and militant group that was founded in 1987 during the First Intifada, or Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation. The group’s name is an acronym for “Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya,” which translates to “Islamic Resistance Movement.” Hamas aims to establish an Islamic state in the historical territory of Palestine and is known for its social services as well as its military activities against Israel. The organization has a political wing that engages in governance, particularly in the Gaza Strip, where it has been in power since 2007, and a military wing known as the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, which conducts armed resistance. Hamas is considered a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States, and several other countries, though it has significant support among Palestinians. Its methods include armed conflict, suicide bombings, and rocket attacks, as well as political engagement and social welfare programs. The group’s charter originally called for the destruction of Israel, but in 2017, a new policy document suggested a willingness to accept a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders under certain conditions, though it still does not recognize Israel’s right to exist.