The ongoing conflict between Israel and the armed Palestinian group Hamas has brought international attention to the group. As the death toll continues to rise, it is important to understand who Hamas is and what their goals and principles are.
Background and Formation
Hamas, an acronym for the Islamic Resistance Movement, was founded in Gaza in 1987 by Sheikh Ahmed Yasin and Abdul Aziz al-Rantissi. The group emerged during the first Intifada, an uprising against Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories. Initially an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Hamas established the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, a military wing dedicated to armed resistance against Israel.
Political Control and Objectives
Hamas gained political control over the Gaza Strip in 2007 after a brief war with Fatah forces loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas. The Gaza Strip, home to more than two million people, is a territory of about 365 square kilometers that is blockaded by Israel.
Unlike the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Hamas does not recognize Israel’s statehood. However, it accepts the idea of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders. Hamas vehemently opposes the Oslo peace accords negotiated by Israel and the PLO in the mid-1990s. Its ultimate goal is to establish a Palestinian state within its own borders, which it pursues through attacks on Israeli soldiers, settlers, and civilians in both the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel itself.
International Designation and Alliances
Hamas is designated as a “terrorist” organization by several countries and entities, including Israel, the United States, European Union, Canada, Egypt, and Japan. Despite this designation, Hamas has formed alliances and received support from various actors in the region. It is part of a regional alliance that includes Iran, Syria, and Hezbollah in Lebanon. These groups share a common opposition to US policies in the Middle East and Israel.
Hamas and the Islamic Jihad, the second-largest armed group in the region, often work together against Israel. They are key members of the joint operations room that coordinates military activities among different armed groups in Gaza. However, tensions between Hamas and Islamic Jihad arise when Hamas pressures Islamic Jihad to halt attacks against Israel.
Recent Escalation and Motivations
The recent attack by Hamas on Israel, which led to the current escalation of the conflict, was prompted by what the group considers atrocities against Palestinians over the years. Hamas spokesperson Khaled Qadomi stated that the military operation was a response to the mistreatment of Palestinians and the desecration of holy sites like Al-Aqsa Mosque. Hamas called on other groups to join the fight, emphasizing that the attacks on Saturday were just the beginning.
Hamas’ Stance on Targeting Civilians
Hamas has been accused of targeting Israeli civilians during the conflict. However, senior spokesperson Osama Hamdan denies deliberately attacking civilians, asserting that the group only targets settlers living in illegal settlements. Hamdan argues that settlers are part of the occupation and the armed Israeli force, categorizing them as legitimate targets. He differentiates between settlers and civilians, claiming that settlers have attacked Palestinians, while civilians in southern Israel are aware of the presence of settlements.
Tactics and Capabilities
Hamas’s recent attack involved capturing several Israelis in the Gaza enclave. Videos released by the group showed fighters dragging bloodied soldiers.
