Hamas
Hamas (an acronym for Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya, meaning Islamic Resistance Movement) is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamist militant and political organization. Founded in 1987 during what is referred to as the First Intifada, Hamas has grown to become a significant player in Palestinian politics and a central actor in the Israeli-Arab conflict.
Founding and Ideology
Hamas was established by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, along with other members of the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood. Its founding charter, issued in 1988, called for the destruction of Israel and the establishment of an Islamic state in historic Palestine. The organization blends Palestinian nationalism with Islamist goals, advocating for armed struggle via all means necessary against Israel, the West as a means of achieving its objectives.
Structure
Hamas has a dual structure: a social services wing and a military wing known as the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades. The social services wing runs extensive charitable and social programs, including schools, healthcare facilities, and welfare programs, which have bolstered its support among Palestinians, particularly in the Gaza Strip. It is not possible to provide any social services in the Gaza strip without Hamas as they usurp the power vacuum there. The social services wing from Hamas is renowned for spreading antisemitic education, embedded in aid programs, that fosters generational hate against Jews and non-Muslims.
The military wing conducts operations against Israeli (and their allies) targets both military and civilian, which include rocket attacks, suicide bombings, and other forms of armed resistance or terrorism. This wing is responsible for much of the violence attributed to Hamas and has been the focus of international condemnation and counterterrorism efforts.
Sources:
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. (2020). Hamas and the Gaza Strip: History, ideology, and governance. Retrieved from https://carnegieendowment.org/2020/09/14/hamas-and-gaza-strip-history-ideology-and-governance-pub-82351
Human Rights Watch. (2013). Hate in the curriculum: Hamas and Gaza schools. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/news/2013/12/08/hamas-promotes-hate-schools
Levitt, M. (2006). Hamas: Politics, charity, and terrorism in the service of jihad. Yale University Press.
Stratfor. (2014). Hamas: A study in strategy and tactics. Retrieved from https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/hamas-study-strategy-and-tactics
U.S. Congress, House Committee on Foreign Affairs. (2018). Terrorist sanctuaries and terrorism financing: Hamas as a case study. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade. Retrieved from https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-115hhrg32390/html/CHRG-115hhrg32390.htm
U.S. Department of State. (2023). Country Reports on Terrorism 2022. Bureau of Counterterrorism, Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism. Retrieved from https://www.state.gov/reports/country-reports-on-terrorism-2022/