Israeli Hostages in Gaza: Pressure on Netanyahu for Ceasefire

**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

**Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ): An Overview** The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), also known as Harakat al-Jihad al-Islami fi Filistin, is a Sunni Islamist militant group founded in the late 1970s by Fathi Shikaki and Abd al-Aziz Awda. Initially part of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, they broke away due to the Brotherhood's perceived moderation on Palestinian issues[1][2]. The group's primary goal is to establish an Islamic Palestinian state, which involves the destruction of Israel and the reclamation of historic Palestine[2]. **History and Development** PIJ was forced to move from Egypt to Gaza in the early 1980s due to its radical stance. The group's military wing, the al-Quds Brigades, has been responsible for numerous attacks on Israeli targets, including suicide bombings and rocket launches[1][5]. In 1997, PIJ was designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the United States[1]. Over the years, PIJ has received significant support from Iran, which has helped the group strengthen its capabilities[3]. **Key Achievements and Current Status** PIJ has maintained a strong presence in the Gaza Strip, often launching rockets into Israel in response to Israeli actions. Notable recent incidents include the firing of over 4,000 rockets alongside Hamas in May 2021 and approximately 1,100 rockets in August 2022[5]. Despite being overshadowed by Hamas, PIJ continues to be a key player in Palestinian militant politics, particularly because it is not encumbered by governance responsibilities[3]. The group's influence has grown, especially after Hamas's break with Syria in 2012, which led to increased Iranian funding for PIJ[3]. **Notable Aspects** PIJ's refusal to engage in the political process sets it apart from other Palestinian groups like Hamas and Fatah[2]. The organization's ideology is deeply rooted in