Shocking Israel and the world, a Palestinian militant group launched a surprise attack on Southern Israel through land, air and sea. The attack caught the Israeli military by surprise and, as per the initial reports, over 700 Israeli civilians, including women and children have been killed and many others injured or kidnapped.
While Israel has launched a massive operation in retaliation, Hamas has stated that this is just beginning and vowed to continue attacks.
Overview of Hamas
To understand this conflict, it is necessary to understand Hamas, its ideology, and its role in the Israel-Palestine conflict. For this, we must trace its roots back to 1987, the year Hamas was founded.
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Hamas was founded by radical Islamist cleric Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, immediately following the outbreak of the 1st Intifada. In its famous charter, the group vows to destroy Israel and establish an Islamic state in Palestine. The charter explicitly calls for raising the banner of Jihad in Palestine and obliterating Israel.
In line with its ideology, Hamas undertook a wave of suicide bombings across Israel, especially during the 2nd Intifada or Palestinian uprising from 2000-2005.
In 2006, a year after Israeli settlers completely withdrew from Gaza, Gazans voted Hamas to power, which led to a rift with rival group Fatah.
Eventually, Hamas ousted Fatah from Gaza in 2007, and has maintained power in Gaza with an iron fist ever since.
Hamas has established a civilian government in Gaza and controls almost every aspect of people’s lives. It even has a military wing which frequently launches missiles into Israel.
Israel-Hamas Conflict, Regional Geopolitics
Since coming to power, Hamas has fought 4 major wars with Israel in 2008, 2014, 2021 and 2023. It has also engaged in regular skirmishes with Israel since 2007.
Hamas receives funding and external support, primarily from Iran. However, Turkey and Qatar also back Hamas. In fact, Qatar has given refuge to top leaders of the group like Khaled Mashaal and Ismail Haniyeh.
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It is believed that Iran supplies Hamas with weapons and financial assistance. Emerging reports show that Tehran helped Hamas in planning and executing this latest attack against Israel.
How is Hamas Received Domestically and Internationally?
Even though Hamas claims to be a Palestinian resistance movement, Palestinian support for the group is mixed, with many Gazans openly opposing its fundamentalist rule.
There are also mixed views about Hamas designation as a terrorist organisation.
While the US, the UK, the EU, Israel, and Japan have declared Hamas as a terrorist group, countries like Iran, Pakistan, Turkey and South Africa view Hamas as a resistance movement.
However, after Hamas’ recent attack on Israel, and the latter’s consequent declaration of war, it remains to be seen how countries regionally and globally will react, and which side of history Hamas will end up on.