10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT HAMAS
1. What is Hamas?
Hamas is an Iranian-backed Palestinian terrorist organization that controls the Gaza Strip. Hamas’ 1988 charter states:
“Hamas rejects any alternative to the full and complete liberation of Palestine, from the river to the sea” — i.e., the
annihilation of Israel. The charter says: “The Day of Judgment will not come about until Muslims fight Jews and kill them.”
Hamaslater issued a new policy document, which did not replace or supersede its original charter, that included more
coded language with calls for “resisting the occupation with all means and methods.”
In October 2023, Hamas carried out the worst terror attack in Israel’s history resulting in more than 1,300 dead and
many more wounded. Hamas was previously responsible for the deaths of over 2,000 Israelis through suicide bombings
and other attacks. Hamas violence derailed the Oslo Peace Process between Israel and the PLO during the 1990s.
Since conquering the Gaza Strip by force in 2007, Hamas has maintained a standing army of fighters and an
arsenal of
light arms, mortars, rockets, shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles, drones, and more.
2. Why does Hamas control Gaza?
Israel took control of the Gaza Strip after the Six-Day War in 1967. In 2005, under U.S. pressure, then Israeli Prime
Minister Ariel Sharon unilaterally withdrew from the coastal enclave, removing every Israeli town, including every citizen,
soldier, and grave.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) ruled Gaza for two years, until 2007, when Hamas waged a brief but violent war against
the PA. Since then, Hamas and other terrorist groups have launched thousands of rockets and mortars toward Israel,
used Palestinian civilians as human shields to protect their personnel and facilities, and terrorized the Israeli communities
near Gaza.
3. Is Hamas a designated terrorist entity?
The United States designated Hamas as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 1997, freezing its U.S.-based assets, barring
members from entering the country, and banning the provision of “material support or resources.”
The U.S. government subsequently sanctioned Hamas-related charities and senior Hamas members and blocked funds
related to Hamas activity. Israel, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and 15 European states have also
sanctioned some or all of Hamas.
4. Who are the leaders of Hamas?
Hamas leaders are dispersed across Iran, Qatar, Turkey, Gaza, and Lebanon, among others. Leaders include:
Ismail Haniyeh, chief of the political bureau based in Qatar
Yahya Sinwar, leader of Hamas in Gaza
Saleh al-Arouri, deputy political chief who splits his time between Qatar, Iran, Turkey, and Lebanon
Mohammad Deif, commander of Hamas’ al-Qassam Brigades presumed to be in Gaza
Khaled Mashal, former leader of Hamas based in Qatar, recently called for global “Day of Jihad”
Khaled Qaddoumi, Hamas representative to the Islamic Republic of Iran
