How powerful is Hamas?

Synopsis

Hamas, the Palestinian group, attacks Israel on October 7th, resulting in the massacre of hundreds of civilians and numerous kidnappings. Founded in 1987 during the First Palestinian Uprising, Hamas operates as both an Islamist organization and a political party in the Gaza Strip, which is home to 2 million Palestinians. Its founding Charter calls for the destruction of Israel and the killing of Jews. Over the years, Hamas has conducted suicide bombings, rocket attacks, and kidnappings, leading many countries to label it a terrorist organization. In 2006, Hamas won a majority in the Palestinian elections, and after a brief Civil War, it took full control of Gaza, halting further elections. Israel and Egypt responded with a blockade, severely impacting Gaza's economy. Despite these challenges, Hamas has enhanced its military capabilities, receiving support from allies like Iran. The recent attack on Israel demonstrates a significant escalation in Hamas's military sophistication, breaching defenses of one of the world's most advanced military nations.