Hamas is a Sunni Islamist Palestinian nationalist political organization with a military wing, the Qassam Brigades. It has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007. The group is known for its armed resistance against Israel, including rocket attacks and other militant activities. It was founded in 1987, during the First Intifada, as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood. Hamas's ideology combines Palestinian nationalism with Islamic fundamentalism. It has been designated as a terrorist organization by several countries.
On June 28, 2006, Hamas signed the second version of the 'Palestinians' Prisoners Document' which supports the quest for a Palestinian state "on all territories occupied in June 1967".
After the Israeli occupation of Gaza in 1967, the Brotherhood in Gaza refused to join the resistance boycott against Israel.
Hamas began acquiescing to 1967 borders in the agreements it signed with Fatah.
Hamas has offered more to the Israelis than Israeli major parties including Likud have offered in return to the Palestinians, both with its de facto recognition of the 1967 borders.
Hamas has repeatedly accepted the 1967 borders in signed agreements and in its 2017 charter.
Hamas originally proposed a 10-year truce to Israel, contingent on the creation of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders. Sheikh Ahmed Yassin indicated that such truce could be extended for 30, 40, or even 100 years, but it would never signal a recognition of Israel.
In 1967, the proposed borders for a Palestinian state were set. Hamas later offered a long-term truce with Israel, contingent on the creation of a Palestinian state based on these 1967 borders.
In 2006, Hamas signed the Palestinian Prisoners' Document which supports the quest for a Palestinian state "on all territories occupied in 1967".
In April 2008, Khaled Mashal said to Jimmy Carter, Hamas would accept a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders and accept the right of Israel to live as a neighbour if such a deal would be approved by a referendum among the Palestinians.
In April 2024, Hamas' Khalil al-Hayya stated that Hamas is willing to agree to a truce of five years or more with Israel and convert into a political party if an independent Palestinian state is established along pre-1967 borders. This was considered a significant concession, but Israel would likely not consider it following the October 2023 attack.
In August 2006, Ismail Haniyeh stated that Hamas has no problem with a sovereign Palestinian state over all lands within the 1967 borders, living in calm.
In January 2024, Khaled Mashal slighted "The West" and "the two-state solution," stating that the 1967 borders, representing only 21% of Palestine, were unacceptable. He reiterated that Hamas accepts a state on the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital, complete independence, and the right of return without recognizing the legitimacy of the Zionist entity.
In May 2010, Khaled Mashal stated that Hamas would accept a state "Israel" alongside a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders if a referendum of the Palestinian people endorsed it. In November 2010, Ismail Haniyeh proposed a Palestinian state on 1967 borders, with the resolution of the refugee issue, the release of Palestinian prisoners, and Jerusalem as its capital, subject to a Palestinian referendum.
In November 2008, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh reiterated that Hamas was willing to accept a Palestinian state within the territories of 1967.
In November 2008, Ismail Haniyeh repeated to European members of parliaments the conditions for accepting a Palestinian state with 1967 borders and offering Israel a long-term truce (hudna), contingent on Israel recognizing Palestinian national rights, a proposal Israel allegedly declined.
In mid-2006, University of Maryland's Jerome Segal suggested that a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders and a truce for many years could be considered Hamas's de facto recognition of Israel.
In the 1993 Oslo Accords, the PLO made a "historic concession" in recognizing Israel on 78% of the land of historic Palestine (along the 1967 borders), but was unable to convince Israel to recognize Palestine on the remaining 22% of the land.
In the 2007 Mecca agreement and in the 2006 Palestinian Prisoners' Document, Hamas agreed to a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders.
On 1 December 2010, Ismail Haniyeh reiterated his November 2010 message, stating Hamas would accept a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital, the release of prisoners, and resolution of the refugee issue, pending a referendum among all Palestinians.
On 1 May 2017, Hamas published "A Document of General Principles and Policies", or the 2017 Hamas charter, accepting a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders without recognizing Israel.
On June 6, 2006, Ismail Haniyeh sent a letter to US President George W. Bush and Israel's leaders, offering a Palestinian state in the 1967 borders and a long-term truce.
Professor Mohammed Ayoob stated in his 2020 book, while discussing the 2017 Hamas charter, that "acceptance of the 1967 borders can be interpreted as a de facto acceptance of the preconditions for a two-state solution".
In 1973, Hamas emerged from Ahmed Yassin's Mujama al-Islamiya Islamic charity, which was affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood.
In December 1987, the Brotherhood adopted a more nationalist and activist line under the name of Hamas.
In 1987, Ahmed Yassin founded the Hamas movement after the outbreak of the First Intifada against the Israeli occupation.
In August 1988, Hamas published their first charter stating that "Israel" should be "eliminated" through a "clash with the enemies", a "struggle against Zionism" and "conflict with Israel".
After winning the 2006 elections, Hamas did not implement the 1988 Charter as policy, and instead agreed to work with the existing Palestinian political system.
Hamas vision in its original 1988 charter resembles the vision of certain Zionist groups regarding the same territory, as noted by several authors. This may suggest that Hamas's views were inspired by those Zionist perspectives.
In 1988, Hamas's Charter framed the Mandate Palestine as ‘Islamic waqf’ or endowment, under sovereignty of God.
In 1988, the Hamas charter proclaimed that jihad against Jews is required until Judgement Day. Article 7 of the charter "openly dedicate(s) Hamas to genocide against the Jewish people". The charter attributes collective responsibility to Jews for various global issues.
In 1988, the Hamas charter was widely described as antisemitic.
In a 1988 interview, Ahmed Yassin, the founder of Hamas, responded to accusations that "Hamas hate Jews".
In the 1988 Hamas Covenant, the acronym HMS was glossed by the Arabic word ḥamās (حماس) which means "zeal", "strength", or "bravery".
On 1 May 2017, Hamas published "A Document of General Principles and Policies", or the 2017 Hamas charter, accepting a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders without recognizing Israel. The original 1988 charter was relegated to historical status but not formally repudiated.
Several authors have interpreted the 1988 Hamas charter as a call for armed struggle against Israel.
Since March 2006 until today, debates are running as to whether the original 1988 Hamas charter has since March 2006 become obsolete and irrelevant or on the contrary still spells out Hamas's genuine and ultimate goals.
In 1989, during the First Intifada, a few Hamas followers campaigned for polygamy, and insisted women stay at home and be segregated from men. In the course of this campaign, women who chose not to wear the hijab were verbally and physically harassed.
Since the spring of 1989, Hamas is and was at war with Israel's army as part of the First Intifada.
The cool relationship between Fatah and Kuwait owed to Arafat's support for Saddam during the First Gulf War, which lead to the Palestinian exodus from Kuwait (1990–91).
In December 1992, Israeli authorities deported more than 400 Palestinians, suspected to be members of Hamas, to Southern Lebanon.
Emad Akel died on November 24, 1993.
Tareq Baconi notes that Hamas has said it would accept mutual recognition of Israel in any consensus peace deal approved by other Palestinian parties and the population in a referendum. In the 1993 Oslo Accords, the PLO recognized Israel on 78% of the land of historic Palestine (along the 1967 borders).
With Hamas's 1993 Introductory Memorandum, Hamas broke away from the uncompromising character of their religious frame, and proposed two stages of liberation of Palestine: a short-term objective to establish a Palestinian state in Gaza and the West Bank, and a long-term objective still striving to liberate Mandate Palestine in its entirety.
In 1995, Hamas repeated its rejection of any recognition of Israel.
In 1995, the United States designated Hamas as a terrorist organization.
Yahya Ayyash died on January 5, 1996.
In 1998, Esther Webman of the Project for the Study of Anti-Semitism at Tel Aviv University wrote that antisemitism was not the main tenet of Hamas ideology, but the Hamas Covenant had become an obstacle for the movement to be able to take part in diplomatic forums involving Western nations.
In 1999, the Hamas leadership proposed a long-term ceasefire with Israel in return for Israeli withdrawal of military troops and civilian illegal settlements from West Bank and Gaza Strip, release of all Palestinian prisoners, and the right of Palestinian self-determination.
By 2000, Hamas or its affiliated charities ran roughly 40% of the social institutions in the West Bank and Gaza.
From 2000, Hamas was responsible for killing nearly 400 Israelis and wounding more than 2,000 in 425 attacks, according to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In 2000, Ahmed Yassin stated that Hamas does not hate Jews but will fight those who take their homes and expel them. He questioned the rights of Russian immigrants versus Palestinians who left their land more recently and asked for their rights to be restored.
In a 2000 press release, Hamas described Nazi Germany's genocide of European Jews as "so-called" and "an alleged and invented story with no basis".
Saudi Arabia funded most of Hamas's operations from 2000 to 2004.
According to a 2010 Human Rights Watch report, by 2001, 15 civilians had been killed in rocket attacks by Hamas and other groups. Hamas claimed these rockets were aimed at military targets, attributing civilian casualties to weapon quality, while Human Rights Watch doubted this, suggesting civilians were intentionally targeted.
From 2001 through May 2008, Hamas launched more than 3,000 Qassam rockets and 2,500 mortar attacks into Israel.
In 2001, the European Union designated Hamas's military wing as a terrorist organization.
On March 27, 2002, Hamas committed its most deadly suicide bombing on a Netanya hotel. In this attack, 30 people were killed and 140 were wounded. The attack is also referred to as the Passover massacre.
Salah Shehade died on July 23, 2002.
In September 2002, Al-Fateh, a Hamas children's magazine, began publication biweekly in London and posted online. The magazine featured stories, poems, riddles, and puzzles.
In November 2002, Canada designated Hamas as a terrorist organisation.
In a 2002 report, Human Rights Watch stated that Hamas leaders "should be held accountable" for "war crimes and crimes against humanity" committed by the al-Qassam Brigades.
The gender ideology outlined in the Hamas charter, their participation in jihad was permitted in 2002.
Ibrahim al-Makadmeh died on March 8, 2003.
Ismail Abu Shanab died on August 21, 2003.
In 2003, Hamas resumed suicide bombings in Israel as a retaliatory measure after the failure of peace talks and an Israeli campaign targeting members of the upper echelon of the Hamas leadership, according to Stephen Atkins.
In 2003, the European Union designated Hamas as a terrorist organisation, following pressure from the US.
Ahmed Yassin died on March 22, 2004.
Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi died on April 17, 2004.
Nuancing sheikh Ahmed Yassin's statements before 2004 about a hudna (truce) with Israel (see above), Hamas's (former) senior adviser Ahmed Yousef has said (at unknown date) that a "hudna" (truce, armistice) is more than a ceasefire and "obliges parties to use the period to seek a permanent, non-violent resolution to their differences."
Saudi Arabia funded most of Hamas's operations from 2000 to 2004, but reduced its support due to US pressure in 2004.
Since 2004, Khaled Mashal was the recognized leader of Hamas.
Until 2004, Hamas was responsible for killing nearly 400 Israelis and wounding more than 2,000 in 425 attacks, according to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
By 2005, Hamas and other Islamic charities were supporting 120,000 individuals with monthly financial support in Gaza. As late as 2005, the budget of Hamas, drawing on global charity contributions, was mostly tied up in covering running expenses for its social programs.
Hamas has repeatedly accepted the 1967 borders in signed agreements in 2005.
In 2005, Hamas also signed the Cairo Declaration, which emphasized the goal of ending the Israeli occupation and establishing a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders.
In 2005, Hamas signed agreements with Fatah.
In 2005, Hamas signed the Palestinian Cairo Declaration, which confirms "the right of the Palestinian people to resistance in order to end the occupation, establish a Palestinian state with full sovereignty with Jerusalem as its capital".
In January 2006, Hamas gained a large majority of seats in the Palestinian Parliament, defeating the ruling Fatah party.
In January 2006, Khaled Meshaal, the chief of Hamas's political bureau, published an op-ed in The Guardian denying antisemitism on Hamas' part, stating that the Israeli–Palestinian conflict was political, not religious, and that Hamas has "no problem with Jews who have not attacked us".
On January 9, 2006, Al-Aqsa TV, a television channel founded by Hamas, began broadcasting in the Gaza Strip. The station has shown television programs, including children's television, which deliver antisemitic messages. Al-Aqsa TV is headed by Fathi Ahmad Hammad.
In March 2006 Hamas published its government program in which Hamas claimed sovereignty for the Palestinian territories but did not repeat its claim to all of mandatory Palestine.
In March 2006, after winning the Palestinian legislative elections, Hamas published its government program claiming sovereignty for Palestinian territories and declaring willingness to have contacts with Israel in mundane affairs, stating that recognizing Israel is a decision for the Palestinian people.
In April 2006, following Hamas's victory in the Palestinian elections, Mahmoud al-Zahar, then foreign minister, conducted a diplomatic tour. He visited Saudi Arabia, Syria, Kuwait, Bahrein, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Libya, Algeria, Sudan and Egypt, meeting with Prince Faysal and discussing issues like Palestinians stuck on the Syrian-Iraqi border. He also met unofficially with officials from Western Europe in Qatar.
In May 2006, the Hamas foreign minister visited Indonesia, Malaysia, the Sultanate of Brunei, Pakistan, China, Sri Lanka and Iran. The minister also participated in China–Arab States Cooperation Forum. Also, Ismail Haniyeh in 2006 visited Egypt, Syria, Kuwait, Iran, Lebanon, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
In June 2006, Hamas senior official Ismail Haniyeh wrote to U.S. President George W. Bush about the conditions for accepting a Palestinian state with 1967 borders and offering Israel a long-term truce (hudna), contingent on Israel recognizing Palestinian national rights.
On June 28, 2006, Hamas signed the second version of the 'Palestinians' Prisoners Document' supporting a Palestinian state on territories occupied in 1967 and recognizing the PLO as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.
On June 6, 2006, Hamas' MP Riad Mustafa stated that while "Hamas will never recognize Israel", if a popular Palestinian referendum would endorse a peace agreement including recognition of Israel, "we would of course accept their verdict".
On June 6, 2006, Ismail Haniyeh sent a letter to US President George W. Bush and Israel's leaders, offering a Palestinian state in the 1967 borders and a long-term truce.
In August 2006, Ismail Haniyeh stated that Hamas has no problem with a sovereign Palestinian state over all lands within the 1967 borders, living in calm.
In November 2006, Hamas again proposed a truce for many years to Israel in exchange for a Palestinian state in the 1967 borders.
In November 2006, Hamas offered Israel a long-term truce in exchange for a Palestinian state created along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, renewing automatically each time.
According to a 2006 report by the rival Fatah party, Hamas had smuggled between several hundred and 1,300 tons of advanced rockets, along with other weaponry, into Gaza.
After winning the 2006 elections, Hamas agreed to work with the existing Palestinian political system instead of implementing the 1988 Charter as policy.
Following the 2006 Israeli conflict with Gaza, Hamas was accused of systematically rounding up, torturing, and summarily executing Fatah supporters suspected of supplying information to Israel. Human Rights Watch estimates that several hundred Gazans were "maimed" and tortured in the aftermath of the conflict.
Hamas has repeatedly accepted the 1967 borders in signed agreements in 2006.
In 2006, Hamas signed agreements with Fatah.
In 2006, Hamas signed the Palestinian Prisoners' Document which supports the quest for a Palestinian state "on all territories occupied in 1967".
In 2006, Hamas' Change and Reform electoral list included Hosam al-Taweel, a Palestinian Christian candidate, running as an independent for the Christian reserved seat in Gaza City. Hosam al-Taweel won the seat due to endorsement by Hamas and other nationalist groups.
In 2006, while politically engaged in the Palestinian Territories parliamentary election campaign, Hamas stated in its election manifesto that it was prepared to use armed resistance to end the occupation.
In mid-2006, University of Maryland's Jerome Segal suggested that a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders and a truce for many years could be considered Hamas's de facto recognition of Israel.
In the 2006 Palestinian legislative election, Hamas secured a majority in the Palestinian Legislative Council by campaigning on promises of a corruption-free government and advocating for resistance as a means to liberate Palestine from Israeli occupation.
In the 2006 Palestinian legislative election, Hamas won 44.45% of the vote, becoming the largest party of the Legislative Council.
Journalist Zaki Chehab wrote in 2007 that Hamas's public concessions following the 2006 elections were "window-dressing" and that the organisation would never recognise Israel's right to exist.
As of January 2007, Israeli, American and European news media considered Hamas to be the "dominant political force" within the Palestinian territories.
In February 2007, Hamas signed the Fatah–Hamas Mecca Agreement, emphasizing national unity for confronting the occupation and reforming the PLO. Mousa Abu Marzook stated that recognizing Israel's presence as a fait accompli doesn't equate to recognizing it as a state.
In June 2007, Hamas defeated Fatah in a series of violent clashes.
In June 2007, Hamas ousted the Fatah movement from the Gaza Strip and assumed control. Following this takeover, Hamas occasionally fired rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel, claiming it was retaliation for Israeli aggression against the people of Gaza.
In September 2007, the 108th issue of Al-Fateh, a Hamas children's magazine, was released. According to the Anti-Defamation League, Al-Fateh promoted violence and antisemitism.
Down to 2007, the Brigades are estimated to have lost some 800 operatives in conflicts with Israeli forces.
Hamas has repeatedly accepted the 1967 borders in signed agreements in 2007.
In 2007, Hamas began governing the Israeli-occupied Gaza Strip.
In 2007, Hamas signed agreements with Fatah.
In 2007, Hamas, through funding from Iran, allocated monthly stipends of $100 for 100,000 workers and a similar sum for 3,000 fishermen, and grants totaling $45 million to detainees and their families.
In the 2007 Mecca agreement, Hamas agreed to respect previous agreements between Fatah and Israel, including the Oslo Accords in which the PLO recognized Israel. Hamas also agreed to a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders.
Journalist Zaki Chehab wrote in 2007 that Hamas's public concessions following the 2006 elections were "window-dressing" and that the organisation would never recognise Israel's right to exist.
Public opinion of Hamas deteriorated after it took control of the Gaza Strip in 2007. Prior to the takeover, 62% of Palestinians had a favorable view, but afterwards, opinions became more negative.
Until 2007, Hamas activities extended to the West Bank, but after a PLO crackdown, these activities now continue exclusively in the Gaza Strip.
In April 2008, former US President Jimmy Carter met with Khaled Mashal, the Hamas leader, who stated that Hamas would accept a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders and acknowledge Israel's right to exist as a neighbor if Palestinians approved it via referendum. Mashal did not offer a unilateral ceasefire as Carter suggested.
Through May 2008, Hamas launched more than 3,000 Qassam rockets and 2,500 mortar attacks into Israel.
Following a 19 June 2008, ceasefire, the al-Qassam Brigades ended its rocket attacks and arrested Fatah militants in Gaza who had continued sporadic rocket and mortar attacks against Israel.
On 19 June 2008, Hamas and Israel agreed to a six-month cease-fire, which Hamas declared finished at 18 December amidst mutual accusations of breaching the agreed conditions.
In July 2008, then-presidential candidate Barack Obama stated that he would do everything in his power to stop rockets being sent into his house, where his daughters sleep, and that he expected Israelis to do the same.
In November 2008, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh reiterated that Hamas was willing to accept a Palestinian state within the 1967 territories and offered Israel a long-term truce if Israel recognized the Palestinians' national rights, which Israel rejected.
In November 2008, Hamas senior official Ismail Haniyeh repeated to European members of parliaments the conditions from June 2006 for accepting a Palestinian state with 1967 borders and offering Israel a long-term truce (hudna), contingent on Israel recognizing Palestinian national rights, a proposal Israel allegedly declined.
On December 28, 2008, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice issued a statement strongly condemning the repeated rocket and mortar attacks against Israel.
In 2008 and 2009 when Khaled Meshaal was invited to attend the Doha Summit where he was seated next to the then Qatari Emir Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, who pledged $250 million to repair the damage caused by Israel in the Israeli war on Gaza.
In 2008, Basem Naim, Minister of Health and Information in Gaza, stated that "neither Hamas nor the Palestinian government in Gaza denies the Nazi Holocaust". He condemned it as a crime against humanity and all forms of discrimination.
In 2008, political scientist Abusada noted that Hamas talks of a temporary ceasefire, not peace or reconciliation with Israel, believing they will eventually be strong enough to liberate all of historic Palestine.
Atlantic magazine columnist Jeffrey Goldberg stated in January 2009 that he was uncertain whether Hamas could enter a long-term non-aggression treaty with Israel without betraying Islamic law, but acknowledged the possibility of belief plasticity among some Hamas ideologues.
In January 2009, following Operation Cast Lead, Hamas largely ceased launching rocket attacks on Israel. They also arrested members of other groups launching rockets, demonstrating their ability to enforce the law.
In mid-January 2009, Israel withdrew its forces from Gaza.
On March 2, 2009, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemned the attacks.
On 14 August 2009, Hamas fighters stormed the Mosque of extremist cleric Abdel-Latif Moussa, who was protected by fighters from Jund Ansar Allah, an Islamist group with links to Al-Qaeda. The battle resulted in at least 13 deaths, including Moussa and six Hamas fighters, and 120 injuries.
In September 2009, Ismail Haniyeh, head of the Hamas government in Gaza, wrote to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon that Hamas would support steps towards a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital.
In 2008 and 2009, Khaled Meshaal was invited to attend the Doha Summit where he was seated next to the then Qatari Emir Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, who pledged $250 million to repair the damage caused by Israel in the Israeli war on Gaza.
In 2009, Hamas's Popular Committees for Refugees disputed with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) over the inclusion of Holocaust education in Gaza, describing the Holocaust as "a lie invented by the Zionists".
In 2009, Taghreed El-khodary and Ethan Bronner, writing in the New York Times, said that Hamas' position is that it doesn't recognize Israel's right to exist, but is willing to accept as a compromise a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders.
In 2009, sanctions on Iran made funding difficult for Hamas, so it began relying on religious donations from individuals in the West Bank, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
In February 2010, Hamas issued a statement regretting harm to Israeli civilians from Palestinian rocket attacks during the Gaza war, while maintaining that the attacks targeted Israeli military targets but lacked accuracy. Israel responded by claiming Hamas boasted about targeting civilians in the media.
In May 2010, Khaled Mashal stated that Hamas would accept a state "Israel" alongside a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders if a referendum of the Palestinian people endorsed it.
In December 2010, Ismail Haniyeh reiterated his November 2010 message, stating Hamas would accept a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital, the release of prisoners, and resolution of the refugee issue, pending a referendum among all Palestinians.
In November 2010, Ismail Haniyeh proposed a Palestinian state on 1967 borders, with the resolution of the refugee issue, the release of Palestinian prisoners, and Jerusalem as its capital, subject to a Palestinian referendum.
On 1 December 2010, Ismail Haniyeh reiterated his November 2010 message, stating Hamas would accept a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital, the release of prisoners, and resolution of the refugee issue, pending a referendum among all Palestinians.
In 2010, Hamas leaders added that the right of return should be accepted in principle by Israel (without direct actual implementation).
In May 2011, Hamas and Fatah signed an agreement in Cairo to form a national unity government and appoint ministers by consensus, without specifying their approach to Israel.
In 2011, Iran provided Hamas with an estimated $13–15 million and access to long-range missiles. Relations between Hamas, Iran, and Syria later deteriorated when Hamas refused to support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, leading to Iran cutting funding and Hezbollah ordering Hamas members out of Lebanon.
In 2011, Mousa Abu Marzook explained that while Hamas does not recognize Israel as a state, it considers the existence of Israel as "amr waqi" (fait accompli), calling it "de facto recognition".
In 2011, U.S. President Barack Obama personally requested that Qatar, one of the U.S.'s most important Arab allies, provide a base for the Hamas leadership to facilitate communications with the group.
In February 2012, Hamas and Fatah signed the Fatah–Hamas Doha Agreement, agreeing (again) to form an interim national consensus government, which (again) did not materialize.
In February 2012, Hamas forswore the use of violence against Israel, leading to a brief period of reduced violence. However, this was short-lived as violence soon resumed between Israel and Palestinian militant groups, including Hamas, in the Gaza Strip and southern Israel.
In November 2012, Hamas's Izzedine al-Qassam brigade publicly executed six Gaza residents accused of collaborating with Israel. Witnesses reported the victims were shot in Gaza City, and one corpse was dragged through the streets.
From 2012 to 2013, under the leadership of Muslim Brotherhood President Mohamed Morsi, Hamas had the support of Egypt.
In 2012, Qatar's former Emir, Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, became the first head of state to visit Gaza under Hamas rule and pledged to raise $400 million for reconstruction.
In 2012, Tobias Buck, a Financial Times writer, noted that Hamas, while listed as a terrorist organization by some Western entities, had largely lost its pariah status in the Arab and Muslim world.
In 2012, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated on US television that he did not view Hamas as a terrorist organization, but rather as a political party.
After the 2013 Egyptian coup d'état, which deposed Mohamed Morsi, Hamas found itself in a financial straitjacket and has since endeavoured to throw the burden of responsibility for public works infrastructure in the Gaza Strip back onto the Palestinian National Authority, but without success.
From 2012 to 2013, under the leadership of Muslim Brotherhood President Mohamed Morsi, Hamas had the support of Egypt.
In 2013, Human Rights Watch issued a statement condemning Hamas for not investigating and giving a proper trial to six men executed in November 2012. This statement was released just before Hamas set a deadline for "collaborators" to turn themselves in.
According to a 2014 Pew Research survey conducted just prior to the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict, about a third of Palestinians had positive opinions of Hamas, while more than half viewed them negatively. 68% of Israeli Arabs, 65% of Lebanese, roughly 60% in Jordan and Egypt, 80% in Turkey, 42% in Tunisia, 56% of Bangladeshis, and 44% of Indonesians held negative views of Hamas.
Hamas popularity surged after the war in July–August 2014 with polls reporting that 81 percent of Palestinians felt that Hamas had "won" that war.
During the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict, Hamas executed at least 23 accused collaborators after three of its commanders were assassinated by Israeli forces. Amnesty International also reported instances of torture by Hamas forces.
During the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas stated that Hamas killed over 120 Palestinian youths for defying house arrest and executed 30–40 Palestinians extrajudicially, accusing them of collaborating with Israel.
During the 2014 conflict, Hamas allegedly aimed nearly all 2,500–3,000 rockets and mortars fired at Israel towards towns, including an attack on a kibbutz near the Gaza border, resulting in the death of an Israeli child. Hamas also expressed interest in targeting strategic locations in Israel, such as the Dimona nuclear reactor, Haifa chemical plants, and Ben-Gurion Airport.
In March 2015, Hamas announced its support of the Saudi Arabian-led military intervention in Yemen against the Shia Houthis and forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
In 2015, Egypt initially declared Hamas a terrorist organization, but this decision was overturned in June of the same year.
On March 12, 2016, there was a rapprochement between Hamas and Egypt, when a Hamas delegation visited Cairo.
On 1 May 2017, Hamas published "A Document of General Principles and Policies", or the 2017 Hamas charter, accepting a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders without recognizing Israel. The original 1988 charter was relegated to historical status but not formally repudiated.
On 2 May 2017, Khaled Mashal, chief of the Hamas Political Bureau, presented a new Charter, in which Hamas accepted the establishment of a Palestinian state on the basis of June 4, 1967 (West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem).
In July 2017, the European Court of Justice upheld the designation of Hamas as a terrorist organization, after Hamas challenged the decision.
Hamas has repeatedly accepted the 1967 borders in its 2017 charter.
Hamas' 2017 charter removed the antisemitic language of the original, stating their struggle is against Zionism, not Jews, and rejecting persecution or denial of rights on nationalist, religious, or sectarian grounds.
In 2017, Hamas released a new charter that supported a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders without recognizing Israel.
In 2017, Yahya Sinwar visited Cairo for 5 weeks and convinced the Egyptian government to open the Rafah crossing, letting in cement and fuel in exchange for Hamas committing to better relations with Fatah; this subsequently led to the signing of the 2017 Fatah–Hamas Agreement.
In 2017, the PA government imposed sanctions against Gaza, cutting off salaries to PA employees and financial assistance to families. The PA initially stopped paying for electricity and fuel, but later partially backtracked. The Israeli government allowed millions of dollars from Qatar to be funneled through Israel to Hamas.
Professor Mohammed Ayoob stated in his 2020 book, while discussing the 2017 Hamas charter, that "acceptance of the 1967 borders can be interpreted as a de facto acceptance of the preconditions for a two-state solution".
In May 2018, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan tweeted to the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu that Hamas is not a terrorist organization but a resistance movement that defends the Palestinian homeland against an occupying power.
Around 2018, a Hamas finance minister contended that a "long-term ceasefire as understood by Hamas and a two-state settlement are the same".
Around 2018, a Hamas finance minister suggested that a long-term ceasefire as understood by Hamas and a two-state settlement are the same.
In 2018, a motion at the United Nations to condemn Hamas was rejected.
In February 2020, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh met with Turkish President Erdoğan.
In 2020, Ismail Haniyeh stated in an interview that one of the principles of Hamas was "Palestine from the sea to the river."
In 2020, many Hamas members in Saudi Arabia were arrested.
Professor Mohammed Ayoob stated in his 2020 book, while discussing the 2017 Hamas charter, that "acceptance of the 1967 borders can be interpreted as a de facto acceptance of the preconditions for a two-state solution".
In May 2021, the Organization of American States designated Hamas as a terrorist organisation.
A June 2021 opinion poll found that 46% of respondents in Saudi Arabia supported rocket attacks on Israel by Hamas during the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis.
In November 2021, the United Kingdom designated Hamas as a terrorist organisation.
A poll conducted in 2021 found that 53% of Palestinians believed Hamas was "most deserving of representing and leading the Palestinian people", while only 14% preferred Abbas's Fatah party. However, many Gazans also viewed Hamas as corrupt and feared criticizing them.
In 2021, Hamas organized and financed a conference among 250 Gaza citizens regarding the future management of the State of Palestine after the predicted takeover of Israel. Conclusions included killing Jewish Israeli fighters and integrating or allowing peaceful individuals to leave.
In 2022, Saudi Arabia began releasing Hamas members from prison.
In 2022, Yahya Sinwar cautioned Israelis that Hamas would one day "march through your walls to uproot your regime."
A March/April 2023 poll found that 60% of Jordanians viewed Hamas firing rockets at Israel at least somewhat positively.
In April 2023, Ismail Haniyeh visited Riyadh, which was a sign of improving relations between Hamas and Saudi Arabia.
On 26 July 2023, Haniyeh met with Erdoğan and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Turkey, as part of Turkey's effort to reconcile Fatah with Hamas.
Polls conducted in September 2023 found that support for Hamas among Palestinians stood at around 27–31%.
During the October 7, 2023 attacks, Hamas infiltrated homes, shot civilians en masse, and took scores of Israeli civilians and soldiers as hostages into Gaza. During its October 2023 offensive against Israel, Hamas massacred 364 people at the Re'im music festival and other Israelis at Kfar Aza kibbutz. Forensic teams who examined bodies of victims said many bodies showed signs of torture as well as sexual and gender-based violence, and testimonies to this effect were also collected by Israeli police.
Following the start of the 2023 war, the European Parliament passed a motion stating the need for Hamas to be eliminated, with US President Biden expressing similar sentiments. Additionally, 240 legal experts accused Hamas of committing genocide against Israelis on 7 October 2023.
In April 2024, Hamas' Khalil al-Hayya stated that Hamas is willing to agree to a truce of five years or more with Israel and convert into a political party if an independent Palestinian state is established along pre-1967 borders. This was considered a significant concession, but Israel would likely not consider it following the October 2023 attack.
On 7 October 2023, Hamas and other Palestinian militants attacked Israel killing nearly 1,200 Israelis, about two thirds of them civilians and about 250 Israeli civilians and soldiers were taken hostage and brought to the Gaza Strip. Israel responded by invading the Gaza Strip, killing over 70,000 Palestinians.
On 7 October 2023, Hamas claimed responsibility for launching a barrage of missile attacks from the Gaza Strip.
On 7 October 2023, the day of the attack on Israel, Haniyeh was in Istanbul, Turkey. Later in October, on 21st, Haniyeh spoke with Erdoğan about the Gaza war. On 25 October 2023, Erdoğan said that Hamas was not a terrorist organisation but a liberation group.
In November 2023, Rashid Khalidi stated that Israeli major governing parties like Likud have refused to recognize Palestinian statehood under any conditions.
In November 2023, a poll showed support for Hamas's attack among Gazans plummeted from 50% to 24% by May 2024. Also, from 14 November to 6 December 2023, a poll indicated that 40% of Saudi participants expressed a positive view of Hamas and 95% did not believe that Hamas killed civilians during the October 7 attacks.
On 1 November 2023, Ismail Haniyeh stated that if Israel agreed to a ceasefire in the Gaza war, opened humanitarian corridors, and allowed aid into Gaza, Hamas would be ready for political negotiations for a two-state solution with Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine. He also acknowledged the support of movements in Yemen, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon.
From 14 November to 6 December 2023, according to a poll conducted by The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, 40% of Saudi participants expressed a positive view of Hamas, 95% did not believe Hamas killed civilians during the October 7 attacks, and only 16% of Saudis said Hamas should accept a two-state solution.
As of 2023, U.S. officials alleged that Hamas had an investment portfolio worth $500 million to US$1 billion, including assets in Sudan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Algeria and the United Arab Emirates, allegations which Hamas has denied.
In 2023, a motion at the United Nations to condemn Hamas was rejected.
In January 2024, Khaled Mashal slighted "The West" and "the two-state solution," stating that the 1967 borders, representing only 21% of Palestine, were unacceptable. He reiterated that Hamas accepts a state on the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital, complete independence, and the right of return without recognizing the legitimacy of the Zionist entity.
In late February 2024, New Zealand re-designated the entire Hamas organisation as a terror entity.
In April 2024, Hamas' Khalil al-Hayya stated that Hamas is willing to agree to a truce of five years or more with Israel and convert into a political party if an independent Palestinian state is established along pre-1967 borders. This was considered a significant concession, but Israel would likely not consider it following the October 2023 attack.
In May 2024, a poll indicated that Hamas's popularity had decreased in Gaza but increased in the West Bank. Only a quarter of Gazans supported Hamas, while 76% of Palestinians in the West Bank viewed Hamas positively. Views on the October 7 attacks among Gazans plummeted from 50% to 24% favorability since November 2023.
In January 2025, Hamas confirmed that its senior military chief, Mohammed Deif, was killed by Israel's military in July 2024.
On 31 July 2024, Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran.
On July 31 2024, Ismail Haniyeh, then highest Hamas leader, was assassinated by Israel.
In August 2024, Yahya Sinwar was elected chairman of the group, replacing Haniyeh.
In September 2024, Switzerland approved a draft law on to ban the group.
On 16 October 2024, IDF troops killed Sinwar during a routine patrol in southern Rafah.
In 2024, financial activity in Gaza was mainly carried out via money changers. Also, the European Council added six people to its sanctions list for helping fund Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, including a senior official from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.
In January 2025, Hamas confirmed that its senior military chief, Mohammed Deif, was killed by Israel's military in July 2024.
On 19 January 2025, a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel went into effect.
In February 2025, Hamas condemned Israeli attacks on Syria.
In March 2025, Ismail Barhoum was killed in an Israeli attack on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis.
In April 2025, Hamas filed a legal case in Britain appealing its designation as a terrorist group, arguing that it has never engaged in armed operations outside of historic Palestine and is not a threat to Western nations.
In April 2025, Paraguay expanded its designation of Hamas as a terrorist organisation.
In April 2025, Yahya Fathi Abd al-Qader Abu Shaar, the head of Hamas' weapons smuggling network, was killed by the Israeli army.
In May 2025, there were unconfirmed reports that Mohammed Sinwar and Muhammad Shabana were killed by Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip.
In June 2025, the Israeli military confirmed that it had identified the body of Mohammed Sinwar through DNA checks.
In August 2025, Abu Obaida, the spokesman for Hamas's armed wing, was killed in an Israeli aerial attack.
In September 2025, Ecuador designated Hamas as a terrorist organization.
In 2025, Hamas stated that what it calls the Gaza genocide is "the Auschwitz of the 21st century".
In 2025, US Special Envoy Adam Boehler engaged in direct talks with Hamas to negotiate the release of American hostages. Following these discussions, Boehler reported that Hamas proposed a 5 to 10-year ceasefire and a comprehensive prisoner exchange. He indicated to Kan News his belief that Hamas would disarm and relinquish power in Gaza. Boehler also mentioned to Fox News that Hamas was seeking a long-term ceasefire that involved disarming, abstaining from politics, and ensuring Israel's safety. Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that these talks were a unique situation aimed at securing the hostages' release. According to Ynet, Boehler has suggested various proposals, including U.S. commando raids into Gaza and hinting at a long-term ceasefire (hudna) between Hamas and Israel.
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