What is Hamas? A Simple Guide to Palestine’s Liberation Group

As Israel and the armed Palestinian group Hamas find themselves locked in an escalating conflict, a grim toll continues to rise, with nearly 1,000 lives lost in a little over a day. On a fateful Saturday, Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, breaching the highly fortified separation fence and infiltrating Israeli communities along the Gaza frontier. In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government issued a solemn warning of “a long and difficult war,” as Israeli jets relentlessly strike the Gaza Strip, reducing high rises and civilian neighborhoods to rubble.

Amid this turmoil, it is essential to understand the core of the crisis – Hamas. The group stands at the heart of this conflict, and it’s imperative to comprehend who they are, what they represent, and the role they play. This article delves deep into the enigmatic world of Hamas, providing you with the knowledge you need to navigate the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

What is Hamas?

Hamas is an Arabic word that means “zeal” and is also the acronym for the Islamic Resistance Movement. It is a Sunni Islamist Palestinian nationalist movement and military organization that has been a major player in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict since the late 1980s. Hamas exercises political authority in the Gaza Strip, a region spanning approximately 365 square kilometers (141 square miles) with a population of over two million residents. However, it is essential to note that the Gaza Strip remains under an Israeli blockade.

Hamas was founded in 1987 during the First Intifada, a Palestinian uprising against Israeli rule. Hamas’s ideology is based on a combination of Sunni Islam and Palestinian nationalism. The group’s stated goal is to establish an Islamic Palestinian state in all of the territory formerly controlled by the British Mandate of Palestine, including the present-day State of Israel and the West Bank.

The Impact of Benjamin Netanyahu’s Leadership on Israel and the Palestinians

Origins and History of Hamas

Hamas’s roots can be traced back to the Muslim Brotherhood, a Sunni Islamist organization founded in Egypt in 1928. The Muslim Brotherhood’s ideology is based on the idea of establishing an Islamic state based on the principles of Sharia law. In the 1960s and 1970s, the Muslim Brotherhood established a strong presence in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

Hamas was founded in 1987 by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, a Muslim Brotherhood cleric. Yassin was inspired by the success of the Iranian Revolution in 1979, which led to the establishment of an Islamic republic in Iran. Hamas quickly became a popular force among Palestinians, particularly in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas’s early ideological foundations were outlined in its 1988 Charter. In contrast to the PLO, Hamas does not acknowledge the statehood of Israel. The Charter calls for the destruction of the State of Israel and the establishment of an Islamic Palestinian state in all of the territory formerly controlled by the British Mandate of Palestine. The Charter also rejects the possibility of a two-state solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

However, Hamas does endorse the establishment of a Palestinian state within the borders of 1967. As expressed by Khaled Meshaal, the exiled leader of the Palestinian group in 2017, “We shall not relinquish a single inch of our Palestinian homeland, regardless of the current pressures or the duration of the occupation.”

The Unfolding of the Hamas Attack on Israel

Notably, Hamas vehemently opposes the Oslo peace agreements, which were brokered by Israel and the PLO in the mid-1990s.

Over the years, Hamas has undergone some ideological evolution. In 2017, the group released a new political document that softened its stance on the two-state solution. However, Hamas has not abandoned its ultimate goal of establishing an Islamic Palestinian state in all of the territory formerly controlled by the British Mandate of Palestine.

Hamas, as a whole or, in some cases, its military wing, is labeled as a “terrorist” organization by apartheid Israel and its allies.

Hamas’ Political Wing

Hamas administers the Gaza Strip through its political wing, led by Ismail Haniyeh, who serves as the de facto Prime Minister of the region. In addition to its political endeavors, Hamas maintains a military wing responsible for its armed struggle against Israel.

Over the years, Hamas has navigated complex relations with various Palestinian factions. In 2007, a brief civil conflict with Fatah resulted in Hamas’s control of the Gaza Strip, while Fatah retained authority over the West Bank.

Hamas’ engagement with the international community has also been intricate. It is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, and several other nations. Simultaneously, Hamas maintains diplomatic ties with countries like Iran and Qatar.

Despite its designation as a terrorist organization, Hamas has provided a number of social services to the people of the Gaza Strip, including education, healthcare, and welfare programs. Hamas has also built a network of tunnels and bunkers that it uses to defend the Gaza Strip from Israeli attacks.

Israeli Spyware Pegasus: Everything you need to know

Hamas’ Military Wing

Hamas has a military wing, known as the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades. The Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades is responsible for Hamas’s armed struggle against Israel. The group has a large arsenal of rockets, which it regularly fires at Israeli targets. Hamas also has a network of tunnels that it uses to launch attacks against Israel.

Hamas’s military strategy and tactics are based on the use of asymmetric warfare. Asymmetric warfare is a type of warfare in which a weaker opponent uses unconventional methods to defeat a stronger opponent. Hamas’s use of rockets and tunnels is an example of asymmetric warfare.

Hamas’s military activities have had a significant impact on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. The group’s rocket attacks have caused casualties and damage in Israel. Hamas’s tunnels have also been used to launch attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians.

Hamas and Social Development

Hamas provides social services and governance in the areas it controls. The group operates schools, hospitals, and other social institutions. Hamas also provides security services in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas faces a number of challenges in meeting the basic needs of the Gazan population. The Gaza Strip is under a blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt. The blockade restricts the movement of people and goods into and out of the Gaza Strip. This has had a devastating impact on the Gazan economy, and has led to high levels of poverty and unemployment.

Let’s call Israel’s violence what it is: terrorism, not clashes

Despite these challenges, Hamas has been able to provide some basic social services to the Gazan population. The group operates schools, hospitals, and other social institutions. Hamas also provides security services in the Gaza Strip. However, the quality of Hamas’s social services is often poor. Hamas has also been accused of corruption and nepotism in its governance of the Gaza Strip.

Changing Landscape

Hamas has evolved over the years, particularly focusing on the organization’s recent documents and charter revisions. In 2017, Hamas released a new political document that softened its stance on the two-state solution. The new document also acknowledged the right of the Jewish people to self-determination. This was a significant departure from Hamas’s previous position, which categorically rejected the two-state solution and the right of the Jewish people to self-determination.

Hamas’s shift in position is likely due to a number of factors. One factor is the changing regional context. Hamas’s main patron, Iran, is facing increasing pressure from the United States and its allies. Hamas is also facing pressure from its own constituents, who are demanding an improvement in their living conditions.

Hamas’s shift in position has been met with mixed reactions from the international community. Some have welcomed the move as a sign of Hamas’s willingness to engage in peace talks with Israel. Others have expressed skepticism, arguing that Hamas’s shift in position is only tactical and that the group remains committed to its ultimate goal of destroying Israel.

Hamas and Fatah: How are the two groups different?

Hamas and Fatah are the two main Palestinian factions. The two groups have different ideologies, political strategies, and social bases.

Hamas is a Sunni Islamist Palestinian nationalist movement. The group’s ideology is based on a combination of Sunni Islam and Palestinian nationalism. Hamas’s stated goal is to establish an Islamic Palestinian state in all of the territory formerly controlled by the British Mandate of Palestine, including the present-day State of Israel and the West Bank.

The Tyranny of Israel: A Critical Evaluation of Western Support for the Occupation of Palestine

Fatah is a secular Palestinian nationalist movement. The group’s ideology is based on the idea of establishing a Palestinian state in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Fatah is willing to accept the two-state solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, meaning that it recognizes the right of the State of Israel to exist.

Hamas and Fatah have different political strategies. Hamas is a militant organization that uses violence to achieve its goals. Fatah is a mainstream political party that is willing to engage in negotiations with Israel.

Hamas and Fatah also have different social bases. Hamas is popular among the urban poor in the Gaza Strip. Fatah is popular among the Palestinian middle class and the Palestinian diaspora.

Recent Development: Gaza Conflict

In the beginning of 2023, Israel and Hamas fought a brief war. The war was sparked by Israeli airstrikes on Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip. Hamas responded by firing rockets at Israeli targets. The war lasted for 10 days and resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 people, most of whom were Palestinians.

And now in October, 2023, in a surprising turn of events, the Palestinian group Hamas launched a daring and multifaceted attack on Israel. This audacious assault encompassed a blend of tactics, including armed infiltrations through security barriers and an unrelenting barrage of rockets launched from Gaza. The timing of this offensive held significant symbolism, coinciding with the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah.

The conflict exacted a heavy toll on both sides. Magen David Adom, Israel’s national rescue service, reported that  the toll has surpassed 1400, including fatalities, as hospitals treated 3500 wounded individuals. Conversely, medical sources in Gaza reported that at least 3061 Palestinians lost their lives and about 13750 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza as of Monday afternoon. Israel’s foreign ministry leveled serious accusations, alleging that Hamas fighters conducted house-to-house operations and targeted civilians.

The Gaza conflict had a significant impact on Hamas, Israel, and the wider region. The Hams attack damaged Israel’s reputation of ‘Iron Dome’ and raised questions about its military capabilities. The conflict also exacerbated tensions between Israel and its neighbors, such as Lebanon and Syria.

Conclusion

Hamas is a complex and multifaceted organization that has played a major role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for over three decades. The group’s ideology, political strategy, and social base have evolved over time, and it continues to face significant challenges both internally and externally.

Hamas’s recent shift in position on the two-state solution is a significant development, but it remains to be seen whether the group is genuinely committed to peace with Israel. Hamas’s future prospects will depend on a number of factors, including the changing regional context, the group’s ability to improve the living conditions of the Gazan population, and its relationship with Israel.

Despite the challenges it faces, Hamas is likely to remain a major player in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for the foreseeable future. The group is deeply rooted in Palestinian society, and it has a strong military wing. Hamas is also able to mobilize popular support, particularly in the Gaza Strip.

The international community must engage with Hamas in a constructive way in order to promote peace and stability in the Middle East. Hamas is a reality that cannot be ignored. The only way to achieve a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians is through a negotiated settlement that takes into account the legitimate interests of both sides.