Hamás

Hamás, also spelled Hamas, is a Palestinian Islamist political and militant organization founded in 1987 during the First Intifada. The group's name is an acronym for Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya, meaning Islamic Resistance Movement. Hamás is primarily based in the Gaza Strip, where it has held de facto control since 2007, and it operates in parts of the West Bank.

The organization’s ideology combines Palestinian nationalism with Islamist principles, advocating for the establishment of an Islamic state in the historic territory of Palestine. Hamás is known for its social services, including healthcare and education programs, which have contributed to its significant support among Palestinians.

Hamás has a dual nature as both a political party and a militant group. It has engaged in numerous armed confrontations with Israel, including rocket attacks, border clashes, and suicide bombings. These acts have led to designation of Hamás as a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States, the European Union, and other countries.

Politically, Hamás gained prominence through its electoral victory in the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections, which resulted in its controlling the Palestinian Authority's governance in Gaza. Its rise to power prompted a split with Fatah, the dominant Palestinian faction in the West Bank.

The organization’s relations with other countries vary; some nations, particularly in the Arab world, have offered support or diplomatic recognition, while others maintain sanctions or condemn its militant activities. Efforts to negotiate peace between Israel and the Palestinians have often been complicated by Hamás’s stance and actions.

Despite international criticism, Hamás remains a significant player in Palestinian politics and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with its future role shaping regional dynamics and peace prospects.