Hamas
Background
AI-generatedHamas is a Palestinian Islamist political and militant organisation that governs the Gaza Strip and has been engaged in a long-running conflict with Israel.
What it is
Hamas (an Arabic acronym for the Islamic Resistance Movement) is a Palestinian nationalist and Islamist organisation founded in the late 1980s during the First Intifada. It combines a political wing, a social-services network, and an armed wing, and espouses the establishment of a Palestinian state, historically framing this in the context of opposition to Israel. It is designated a terrorist organisation by a number of governments, including the United States, the European Union, and Israel, while other states and bodies distinguish between its political and military components.
Role and reach
Hamas has governed the Gaza Strip since it took control in 2007, operating administrative, security, and social welfare functions there. Its armed wing has carried out attacks against Israeli military and civilian targets and has fought several rounds of conflict with Israel, including a large-scale escalation beginning in October 2023. Its influence is concentrated in Gaza and among segments of Palestinian society, with a rivalry with the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the West Bank.
Current relevance
Hamas is in the news amid ongoing efforts to negotiate a ceasefire and end large-scale hostilities with Israel following the war that began in October 2023. Discussions involving regional and international mediators have focused on halting fighting, exchanging hostages and prisoners, and addressing the humanitarian and governance future of Gaza.
Background context generated by AI from public knowledge and recent Apprise coverage. Facts may lag current events — see the stories below for the latest.
