What is Hamas?

Hamas, an acronym for Ḥarakat al-Muqāwamah al-ʾIslāmiyyah, which translates to "Islamic Resistance Movement," is a prominent Sunni Islamist Palestinian nationalist political organization. It was founded in 1987 during the First Intifada, an uprising against Israeli occupation, and has since become a central, often controversial, player in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Hamas emerged from the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, initially focusing on social welfare programs before adopting a more militant stance. The organization is known for its dual nature: it functions as a political entity that provides social services to Palestinians, and it maintains a military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades. This military arm is responsible for armed operations against Israel, which have included rocket attacks, suicide bombings, and cross-border raids. Hamas's stated goal is the liberation of Palestine from Israeli occupation and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Since 2007, Hamas has been the de facto governing authority of the Gaza Strip, a densely populated Palestinian territory. This control was established after a violent conflict with its rival Palestinian faction, Fatah, which led to a political split between Gaza and the West Bank. Its governance in Gaza has been marked by ongoing conflict with Israel and a severe blockade imposed by both Israel and Egypt. Hamas's status is highly contentious internationally. Many countries, including the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Israel, have designated it as a terrorist organization. These designations are primarily due to its use of violence against civilians and its refusal to recognize Israel's right to exist. However, other nations and organizations view Hamas as a legitimate resistance movement or a political party representing a significant portion of the Palestinian population. The organization's ideology combines Palestinian nationalism with Islamic principles, advocating for a state based on Islamic law. While its original 1988 charter called for the destruction of Israel and contained antisemitic language, its 2017 charter softened some of these stances, accepting the idea of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders without explicitly recognizing Israel, and shifting its focus from Jews to "Zionists" as the target of its struggle.

Key Facts

Full Name and Meaning: Hamas is an acronym for Ḥarakat al-Muqāwamah al-ʾIslāmiyyah, meaning "Islamic Resistance Movement." The Arabic word "Hamas" itself means "zeal" or "strength."
Founding: Established in 1987 by Ahmed Yassin during the First Intifada, emerging from the Muslim Brotherhood's Palestinian branch.
Governance: Has governed the Gaza Strip since seizing control from Fatah in 2007.
Military Wing: The al-Qassam Brigades are Hamas's armed wing, responsible for military operations.
Political Platform: Campaigns on anti-corruption, social welfare, and armed resistance against Israeli occupation.
International Status: Designated as a terrorist organization by numerous countries, including the U.S., EU, UK, and Israel.
Key Conflicts: Engaged in multiple major conflicts with Israel, including wars in 2008–09, 2012, 2014, 2021, and the ongoing conflict since October 2023.
Charter Evolution: Its 1988 charter was widely seen as antisemitic and called for Israel's destruction; the 2017 charter accepted a Palestinian state within 1967 borders without recognizing Israel and focused on "Zionists" rather than Jews.
Foreign Relations: Historically maintained relations with countries like Iran, Qatar, Syria, and Turkey, though these have fluctuated.
Tactics: Has employed various tactics, including rocket attacks, suicide bombings (historically), and cross-border raids, notably the October 7, 2023 attacks.
Rivalry: A long-standing rivalry with Fatah, the dominant faction of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian National Authority.

Full Explanation

Ideology and Objectives

Hamas's ideology is a blend of Palestinian nationalism and Sunni Islamism, rooted in the principles of the Muslim Brotherhood. It views the conflict with Israel through a religious lens, considering the land of Palestine as an Islamic endowment (waqf) that cannot be surrendered. This perspective fuels its commitment to "resistance" (muqawama) against Israeli occupation, which it sees as a religious and national duty. The organization's initial 1988 charter explicitly called for the destruction of Israel and the establishment of an Islamic state in all of historical Palestine, and it contained strong antisemitic rhetoric. Over time, Hamas has shown some pragmatic shifts in its political discourse. Its 2017 charter, while not replacing the original, presented a more nuanced position. It accepted the idea of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital, without explicitly recognizing Israel. Crucially, it distinguished between Jews and Zionists, stating that its struggle is against the "Zionist project" and not against Jews because of their religion. This shift has been interpreted by some as a move towards a potential two-state solution, while others view it as a tactical maneuver that does not alter Hamas's long-term goal of a single Palestinian state from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.

Governance in Gaza

Hamas assumed control of the Gaza Strip in June 2007 after winning the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections and subsequently defeating Fatah forces in a brief but violent conflict. This takeover led to the effective political and administrative separation of the Palestinian territories, with Hamas governing Gaza and the Fatah-led Palestinian National Authority governing parts of the West Bank. Since then, Hamas has faced immense challenges in governing Gaza, a territory home to over two million people. Its rule has been characterized by an ongoing Israeli and Egyptian blockade, which severely restricts the movement of goods and people, leading to a humanitarian crisis and hindering economic development. Hamas has been responsible for providing essential services, including healthcare, education, and social welfare, often through a network of charities and institutions. However, its governance has also drawn criticism from international human rights organizations for alleged human rights abuses, suppression of dissent, and lack of democratic accountability within the Strip.

Military Wing and Tactics

The al-Qassam Brigades serve as the military arm of Hamas and are central to its strategy of armed resistance. This wing is responsible for planning and executing military operations against Israel, which have evolved over the years. Historically, Hamas utilized suicide bombings against Israeli civilian targets, particularly during the Second Intifada (2000-2005). In more recent decades, its primary military tactics have included launching thousands of rockets and mortars into Israel, constructing an extensive network of underground tunnels for defensive and offensive purposes, and conducting cross-border raids. The October 7, 2023 attacks represented a significant escalation in Hamas's military operations. These attacks involved a coordinated infiltration into southern Israel by thousands of militants, resulting in widespread killings of civilians, including women and children, and the abduction of approximately 250 hostages. Hamas stated that these attacks were a response to Israel's ongoing occupation, blockade of Gaza, expansion of settlements, and perceived threats to Islamic holy sites like the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The scale and brutality of these attacks led to widespread international condemnation and triggered a major Israeli military response in Gaza.

History

Hamas's origins can be traced back to the 1970s with the establishment of the Mujama al-Islamiya, an Islamic charity founded by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin in Gaza. This organization, affiliated with the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, focused on social welfare and religious education. Initially, Israel discreetly supported such Islamic groups as a potential counterweight to the secular Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which was seen as a greater threat. The outbreak of the First Intifada in December 1987 marked a turning point. Sheikh Yassin and other Brotherhood leaders formed Hamas, adopting a more nationalist and activist stance. The new movement quickly gained popularity by combining social services with a call for armed resistance against the Israeli occupation. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Hamas became increasingly prominent, particularly through its use of suicide bombings and other attacks against Israeli targets, often in response to Israeli military actions. A pivotal moment came in the January 2006 Palestinian legislative elections, where Hamas secured a surprising majority of seats, defeating the long-dominant Fatah party. This victory was largely attributed to its anti-corruption platform and its strong stance on resistance. However, the international community, led by the U.S. and Israel, refused to recognize the Hamas-led government, leading to a political and economic crisis. Tensions between Hamas and Fatah escalated, culminating in the Battle of Gaza in June 2007, where Hamas violently seized full control of the Gaza Strip. Following Hamas's takeover, Israel and Egypt imposed a comprehensive blockade on Gaza, severely restricting the flow of goods and people. This period initiated a series of major military confrontations between Hamas and Israel, including large-scale wars in 2008–09 (Operation Cast Lead), 2012 (Operation Pillar of Defense), 2014 (Operation Protective Edge), and 2021 (Operation Guardian of the Walls). These conflicts resulted in significant casualties, particularly among Palestinians, and widespread destruction in Gaza. In 2017, Hamas released a new political document, often referred to as its new charter, which aimed to present a more moderate image to the international community. This document accepted the idea of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders without recognizing Israel and clarified that its struggle was against Zionism, not Judaism. Despite this, the core principles of resistance and the liberation of Palestine remained central to its ideology. The most recent and devastating escalation occurred on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a massive, multi-pronged attack on southern Israel, leading to an unprecedented number of Israeli casualties and the abduction of hostages, triggering a large-scale Israeli invasion of Gaza and an ongoing war.

Why it Matters

Hamas matters profoundly because it is a central and enduring actor in one of the world's most intractable conflicts: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Its existence and actions directly impact the lives of millions of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, who live under its governance and endure the consequences of its confrontations with Israel. The organization's commitment to armed resistance, coupled with its political and social infrastructure, ensures that it remains a formidable force shaping the future of the Palestinian territories. Globally, Hamas's designation as a terrorist organization by many Western powers complicates international efforts for peace and humanitarian aid in the region. Its actions, particularly the October 7, 2023 attacks, have had far-reaching geopolitical consequences, drawing in regional and international actors, exacerbating tensions, and influencing global discourse on terrorism, self-determination, and human rights. The ongoing conflict involving Hamas has significant implications for regional stability in the Middle East, affecting relations between Arab states and Israel, and influencing the foreign policies of major world powers. Furthermore, Hamas's evolving ideology and its relationship with other Palestinian factions, particularly Fatah, are critical to any potential future for Palestinian statehood. The division between Gaza and the West Bank, largely a result of the Hamas-Fatah split, presents a major obstacle to a unified Palestinian political entity. Understanding Hamas is therefore essential for comprehending the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, its humanitarian dimensions, and the prospects for any lasting peace in the region.