History of Hamas

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Hamas is a Palestinian nationalist^[1] and Islamic fundamentalist^[2] socio-political organization based in the Gaza Strip with an associated paramilitary force, the al-Qassam Brigades.^[3][4] Hamas (حماس) Ḥamās is an acronym of حركة المقاومة الاسلامية Ḥarakat al-Muqāwamat al-Islāmiyyah, meaning "Islamic Resistance Movement".

Hamas was established during the First intifada against the Israeli occupation in 1987, and has its origins in Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood movement, which had been active in the Gaza Strip since the 1950s and gained influence through a network of mosques and various charitable and social organizations. In the 1980s the Brotherhood emerged as a powerful political factor, challenging the influence of the PLO, and in 1987 adopted a more nationalist and activist line under the name of Hamas.^[5] Hamas was initially discreetly supported by Israel as a counter-balance to the secular PLO.^[6] During the 1990s and early 2000s, the organization conducted numerous suicide bombings and other attacks against Israel.

In the Palestinian legislative election of January 2006, Hamas campaigned on armed resistance against the Israeli occupation and gained a large majority of seats in the Palestinian Parliament, defeating the ruling Fatah party. After the elections, conflicts arose between Hamas and Fatah, which they were unable to resolve. ^[7][8] In June 2007, Hamas defeated Fatah in a series of violent clashes, and since that time Hamas has governed the Gaza portion of the Palestinian Territories, while at the same time the unity government of which they formed a part in the West Bank was dissolved by the Palestinian Authority.^[9] Israel and Egypt then imposed an economic blockade on Gaza and largely sealed their borders with the territory.^[10][11]

After acquiring control of Gaza, Hamas-affiliated and other militias launched rocket attacks upon Israel, which Hamas ceased in June 2008 following an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire.^[12] The ceasefire broke down late in 2008, with each side accusing the other of responsibility.^[13] In late December 2008, Israel attacked Gaza,^[14] withdrawing its forces in mid-January 2009.^[15] Since 2009, Hamas has faced multiple military confrontations with Israel, notably the 2012 and 2014 Gaza Wars, leading to substantial casualties. Hamas has maintained control over Gaza, often clashing with the Palestinian Authority led by Fatah. Efforts at reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah have seen limited success. Hamas has continued to face international isolation and blockades, while engaging in sporadic rocket attacks and tunnel construction activities against Israel. In 2023, Hamas launched the October 7 attack on Israel, starting the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.^[16]