Hamas

ELI5 - What exactly is Hamas, how did it form, and if it's a terrorist group, why does it have so much support in Gaza?

Hamas, founded in 1987 by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin in Gaza during the first intifada, is an Arabic acronym for the Islamic Resistance Movement, with roots in the Muslim Brotherhood. It aims to fight Israel's occupation and has called for its annihilation, conducting numerous suicide bombings and terrorist attacks. Designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. in 1997, the European Union, and others, Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007 after winning elections and ousting the Palestinian Authority. This led to an Israeli blockade, severely impacting Gaza's economy. Hamas has received support from countries like Qatar, Turkey, and more recently aligned with Iran. Its leaders, including Yehia Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh, have focused on a violent struggle against Israel, using rockets and tunnels for attacks and smuggling. The 2023 attack inside Israel, which involved hundreds of Hamas terrorists, resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 innocent Israeli citizens.

By Alex 10 months ago