Hamas, short for Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya (Islamic Resistance Movement), is a Palestinian fundamentalist Sunni Islamist militant organization and political party founded in Gaza in 1987 during the first Palestinian intifada. It originated as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood and has since become the largest and most capable militant group in the Palestinian territories, particularly governing the Gaza Strip since a 2007 military coup against its rival Fatah party[1][2][3]. Hamas's core mission is the armed resistance against Israel, seeking to replace Israel with an Islamic Palestinian state. It has consistently rejected recognition of Israel and opposed peace agreements made by the Palestinian Liberation Organization. Militarily, Hamas operates through its armed wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, which has conducted numerous attacks including suicide bombings, rocket barrages, and tunnel infiltrations. Over decades, Hamas has been responsible for killing hundreds of Israelis in hundreds of attacks, including notable incidents like the 2001 Sbarro restaurant bombing[1][2]. Politically, Hamas won the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections, disrupting Fatah's dominance and consolidating control over Gaza by 2007. Despite its governance role, Hamas remains designated as a terrorist organization by many countries including the U.S., Canada, and the European Union due to its tactics and refusal to renounce violence[1][2][4]. In recent years, Hamas has enhanced its military capabilities, developing an arsenal estimated at over 13,000 rockets and advancing drone and cyber warfare technologies. The group maintains strong regional support from Iran, Qatar, and Turkey, forming part of Iran's "axis of resistance" alongside groups like Hezbollah. Its political and military activities continue to contribute to recurring conflicts with Israel, including the large-scale October 2023 surprise attack on Israel that killed nearly 1,200 people and triggered an ongoing war[3][4]. Hamas also retains significant popular support