The organization is a Palestinian militant movement that also serves as one of the territories’ two major political parties, explains the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR).
Over the years, Hamas has carried out shooting, bombing, and rocket attacks in Israel.
Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza have fought multiple cross-border wars and have had numerous skirmishes since the group seized control of Gaza in 2007.
Hamas as a whole, or in some cases its military wing, is designated a terrorist group by Israel, the US, the EU, and the UK, as well as other powers.
“To its supporters, though, Hamas is seen as a legitimate resistance movement,” reported BBC.
In 1997, the US designated Hamas as a terrorist organization.
The United States Department of State says: “Historically, Hamas has received funding, weapons, and training from Iran and raises funds in Gulf countries.
“The group receives donations from Palestinian expatriates as well as its own charity organizations.”
On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel.
The IDF said that the group had fired over 2,000 rockets from Gaza, while some militants entered the state via land, sea, and air using paragliders.
We are on the verge of a great victory and a clear conquest on the Gaza front,” Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh said in a broadcast on Hamas-run Al-Aqsa television.
“Enough is enough, the cycle of intifadas [uprisings] and revolutions in the battle to liberate our land and our prisoners languishing in occupation [Israeli] prisons must be completed.”
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