Biden asks Israel to learn from US’s ‘mistakes’ after 9/11, not ‘be blinded by rage’
Hamas, formally known as Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya, is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamist militant organization and political party that has been engaged in an enduring and complex conflict with Israel.. Founded in 1987, during the first Palestinian Intifada, its primary objective has been to establish an Islamic Palestinian state in the area that includes present-day Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip.
Hamas has been widely recognized as a terrorist organization by numerous countries and international bodies, owing to its history of employing various tactics, including suicide bombings, rocket attacks, and other forms of armed confrontation against Israeli targets and civilians.
With its charter explicitly advocating for the destruction of Israel, Hamas has continuously rejected the existence of the State of Israel and has called for the liberation of all Palestinian territories from Israeli control. It has also consistently opposed peace negotiations and agreements with Israel, asserting that armed struggle is the only viable method to achieve its objectives.
Operating primarily in the Gaza Strip, Hamas has developed a significant social and political presence alongside its military activities, providing social services and welfare programs to the local population. It has established a network of schools, clinics, and other institutions, thus gaining considerable grassroots support in the region.
The Israeli government, as well as many Western countries, view Hamas as a major obstacle to peace and stability in the region, citing its refusal to recognize Israel’s right to exist and its continued use of violence against Israeli civilians. Efforts to resolve the conflict between Hamas and Israel have been ongoing for years, with intermittent periods of violence and attempts at ceasefires and peace negotiations.
