IsraelHamas

IsraelHamas refers to the long-running political and military confrontation between the State of Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist organization that has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007. Hamas arose from the Palestinian Islamist movement during the First Intifada in 1987 as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood. Its charter in its early years called for an Islamic state in all of historic Palestine and the destruction of Israel; the group has since offered various statements about accepting a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders under certain conditions, while not formally recognizing Israel’s right to exist.

Hamas maintains both a political wing and a military wing, the latter responsible for rocket fire, cross-border attacks, and armed clashes with Israeli forces. The organization has engaged in multiple wars and escalations with Israel, including major conflicts in 2008–09, 2012, 2014, and periodic violence in other years. Since 2007, Hamas has controlled the Gaza Strip after a violent split with rival Palestinian factions, while Israel and Egypt have maintained a blockade on the territory, citing security concerns. Rocket fire and Israeli airstrikes have caused widespread civilian casualties and humanitarian challenges in Gaza.

Internationally, several governments and organizations designate Hamas as a terrorist organization or designate its military wing as such, though classifications can differ between countries. The group is subject to sanctions and is often a central factor in negotiations over ceasefires, humanitarian access, and broader Israeli–Palestinian diplomacy. The Israel–Hamas dynamic remains a core element of the broader conflict in the region, influencing regional security, policy, and humanitarian considerations.