Two-Year Anniversary of October 7: Hamas's Defiant Celebration and Global Reactions

**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

## Overview and Mission The United States Department of State (DOS), often referred to as the State Department, is the executive branch agency responsible for managing America’s foreign policy and international relations[2]. Established in 1789 as the first federal executive department, it advises the president on diplomacy, administers diplomatic missions, negotiates treaties, protects U.S. citizens abroad, and represents the nation at the United Nations[2]. It is headquartered in the Harry S Truman Building in Washington, D.C., and is led by the Secretary of State, currently Marco Rubio as of January 2025[2]. ## Core Functions and Structure The State Department’s mission is to advance the interests, security, and economic prosperity of the American people through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance[3]. It operates a global network of embassies and consulates, staffed by Foreign Service officers, Civil Service employees, and political appointees. The department manages U.S. engagement in international organizations, oversees foreign aid, and coordinates with other agencies on matters ranging from trade to cybersecurity[2][3]. Its structure is designed to adapt to evolving global challenges, with recent emphasis on great power competition, especially with China, in domains like artificial intelligence, cyberspace, and polar regions[4]. ## Historical Significance and Key Achievements Since its founding, the State Department has played a pivotal role in shaping U.S. foreign policy, from the Louisiana Purchase to the Marshall Plan, the Camp David Accords, and the Iran nuclear deal. It has been instrumental in promoting democracy, human rights, and free markets worldwide. The department also runs exchange programs, such as the Professional Fellows initiative, which fosters international professional collaboration[2]. ## Current Status and Notable Developments Under the current administration, the State Department is undergoing significant reforms aimed at streamlining bureaucracy, increasing political appointees in key roles, and aligning its operations more closely with the president’s agenda[1]. There