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Introduction: Hamas, the Palestinian group in control of the Gaza Strip, has initiated a surprise attack on Israel, leading to one of the most severe escalations in the Israel-Palestinian conflict in recent years. The attack has triggered widespread concern and reactions from various quarters.
What is Hamas?
- Founding and Ideology: Hamas, short for the Islamic Resistance Movement, was established in 1987 during the first Palestinian Intifada (uprising). The group is ideologically aligned with the Muslim Brotherhood and has received support from Iran. It adheres to Islamist principles.
- Control of Gaza: Since 2007, Hamas has been governing the Gaza Strip. This followed a brief civil conflict with forces loyal to Fatah, led by President Mahmoud Abbas. Abbas remains based in the West Bank and heads the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
- Election Victory and Accusations: Hamas gained control of Gaza after winning Palestinian parliamentary elections in 2006, which marked the last such elections to date. This victory led to tensions, with Hamas accusing Abbas of conspiring against them, while Abbas described the events as a coup.
- Ongoing Conflict with Israel: The years following its takeover have witnessed numerous conflicts with Israel. These often involve rocket attacks by Hamas from Gaza into Israel, met with Israeli airstrikes and bombardments of Gaza.
- Recognition of Israel: Hamas does not recognize the state of Israel and has consistently opposed the Oslo peace accords brokered by Israel and the PLO in the mid-1990s.
- Armed Wing: Hamas maintains an armed wing known as the Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, responsible for deploying gunmen and suicide bombers in Israel. Hamas frames its armed activities as resistance against Israeli occupation.
- Charter and Conflict: Hamas’s founding charter in 1988 called for the destruction of Israel. Despite this, some Hamas leaders have occasionally proposed a long-term truce, known as Hudna in Arabic, with Israel in exchange for a Palestinian state encompassing all territory occupied by Israel in the 1967 war. Israel regards such offers sceptically.
- Designation as a Terrorist Organization: Israel, the United States, the European Union, Canada, Egypt, and Japan have officially designated Hamas as a terrorist organization.
- Regional Ties: Hamas is part of a regional alliance that includes Iran, Syria, and the Shi’ite Islamist group Hezbollah in Lebanon. These entities broadly oppose U.S. policy in the Middle East and Israel.
- Global Presence: Although based in Gaza, Hamas enjoys support across Palestinian territories and has leaders in various Middle Eastern countries, including Qatar.
Conclusion: Hamas, founded in 1987 during the first Palestinian Intifada, remains a key player in the Israel-Palestinian conflict. The group’s refusal to recognize Israel, coupled with its ongoing armed activities, has resulted in its designation as a terrorist organization by several nations. The recent surprise attack from Gaza into Israel has heightened tensions in the region, prompting concern and responses from the international community.
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