Gaza Conflict: IDF Strikes Hamas Co-founder's Home

The **Israel Defense Forces (IDF)** is the national military of Israel, established in May 1948 shortly after the country’s founding. It comprises three main branches: the Israeli Ground Forces, the Israeli Air Force (IAF), and the Israeli Navy, all operating under a unified command led by the Chief of Staff who reports to the Minister of Defense[1][2][3]. The IDF's primary mission is to safeguard the State of Israel and protect its citizens from diverse and persistent security threats[8]. The IDF is known for its **defensive strategic doctrine combined with offensive tactical execution**, reflecting Israel’s geographical vulnerabilities and security environment. It maintains a small but highly trained standing army supported by a large reserve force, with rapid mobilization capabilities[1]. The quality and professionalism of its soldiers are considered the IDF’s greatest asset, supported by advanced domestically developed weapons and technologies tailored to Israel’s specific defense needs[1][3]. Historically, the IDF has played a crucial role in Israel’s survival and regional conflicts, participating in multiple wars and counterterrorism operations. Notable achievements include Operation Entebbe in 1976, a daring hostage rescue by elite special forces such as Sayeret Matkal, and continuous innovations in urban warfare and subterranean combat against tunnel networks used by adversaries like Hamas[4][5]. The IDF’s special forces units are internationally recognized for their rigorous training and operational excellence in intelligence, counterterrorism, and unconventional warfare[4]. Currently, the IDF is undergoing significant technological and structural modernization. This includes upgrading infantry weapons (e.g., replacing M-16 rifles with the IMI Tavor series), armored vehicles (e.g., Namer and Eitan APCs), and future combat systems like next-generation tanks equipped with lasers, electromagnetic pulse weaponry, and hybrid engines. There is also a focus on enhancing joint training across air, land, and sea branches and improving reserve force readiness by streamlining

The **Israel Securities Authority (ISA)** is the national regulator of Israel's securities industry, established by law in 1968. Its primary mandate is to ensure an efficient capital market based on transparency and fairness, similar to the principles of U.S. securities laws developed after the 1929 Wall Street crash[1][2]. The ISA oversees and regulates various sectors, including public companies, mutual funds, ETFs, stock exchanges, and investment advisors[2][3]. **History and Development**: Securities trading in Israel began in 1935, with the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) officially opening in 1953. The ISA's establishment in 1968 marked a significant regulatory shift, providing a framework for the TASE and its operations[1]. Over the years, the ISA has adapted to evolving financial landscapes, focusing on investor protection against fraud and insider trading[1]. **Key Achievements and Current Status**: The ISA has been proactive in regulating innovative financial services, including guidance on new business models and support for regulatory tech solutions[2]. Recently, it has taken a more aggressive stance on administrative enforcement, updating rules for qualified investors and regulating payment services[5]. The ISA collaborates with international bodies, promoting innovation and cooperation in financial services[6]. **Notable Aspects**: The ISA plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of Israel's capital markets. It reviews and approves stock exchange rules, ensuring fair and proper conduct[4]. The ISA's focus on innovation and its engagement with fintech solutions reflect its commitment to adapting to modern financial challenges[2][6]. Overall, the ISA is a vital component of Israel's financial infrastructure, working to protect investors and foster a robust capital market environment.

**Hamas** is a Sunni Islamist Palestinian nationalist organization that functions both as a political party and a militant group, primarily operating in the Gaza Strip, which it has governed since 2007. Founded in 1987 by Ahmed Yassin amid the First Intifada, Hamas emerged from the Muslim Brotherhood and initially had covert Israeli support as a counterweight to the secular Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO)[3][1]. It combines political governance with an armed wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, committed to armed resistance against Israel, which it refuses to recognize as a legitimate state[1][3]. Hamas’s political rise culminated in a 2006 electoral victory in the Palestinian Legislative Council, campaigning on anti-corruption and resistance platforms. After violently seizing Gaza from the rival Fatah faction in 2007, Hamas has maintained de facto control there despite international isolation and blockades imposed by Israel and Egypt[3]. Its governance has been marked by repeated conflicts with Israel, including major wars in 2008–09, 2012, 2014, 2021, and the ongoing intense conflict triggered by Hamas’s surprise October 2023 attack killing nearly 1,200 Israelis and taking hostages[1][2][3]. Hamas benefits from regional support, especially from Iran, which supplies funding and weapons, as well as financial and political backing from Turkey and Qatar. These alliances form part of a broader "axis of resistance" against Israel, which includes groups like Hezbollah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad[2]. Hamas also operates fundraising networks globally, sometimes using charities as fronts to support its military activities[4]. The group is designated a terrorist organization by many countries, including the United States, which has increased military aid to Israel following recent escalations[2][6]. Despite modifying its 1988 charter in 2017 to soften some language, Hamas continues to reject Israel’s legitimacy and pursues all forms of resistance[1]. Its enduring political