Results: Hamas

Hamas is an Islamist militant movement and one of the Palestinian territories' two major political parties. It governs more than two million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, but the group is best known for its armed resistance to Israel. In October 2023, Hamas launched a massive surprise attack on southern Israel, killing more than 1,400 people and taking dozens more as hostages. Israel has declared war on Hamas in response and indicated its military is planning for a long campaign to wipe it out entirely. Are you familiar with what is happening in Israel and the Gaza Strip right now?

Dozens of countries -- including most of Europe, Canada and the U.S. -- have designated Hamas a terrorist organization, though some apply this label only to its military wing. Iran provides it with material and financial support, and Turkey reportedly harbors some of its top leaders. Its rival party, Fatah, which dominates the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and rules in the West Bank, has formally renounced violence, though it has not always upheld that vow in times of high Israeli-Palestinian tensions. Did you know that according to our countries, Hamas is designated a terrorist organization?

Hamas is an acronym for its official name, the Islamic Resistance Movement, and their 1988 charter states: "Hamas rejects any alternative to the full and complete liberation of Palestine, from the river to the sea" — i.e., the annihilation of Israel. The charter says: "The Day of Judgment will not come about until Muslims fight Jews and kill them." Hamas diverts international assistance to build its terrorist infrastructure. This impedes economic development and contributes to the humanitarian and environmental crisis in Gaza. The group restricts the rights of women and Christians and treats homosexuality as a crime. Hamas uses civilians as human shields, hiding terror tunnels, weapons factories, and operations centers under schools and in densely populated civilian areas. The United Nations (UN) has called on Hamas to "cease immediately" these violations of international law. Are you aware that sending funds to help the people of Gaza will most likely end up in Hamas' hands, and just be used to fund more violence and not actually help the people there?

Do not confuse Hamas with the Palestinian people. They are held hostage by this terrorist organization just as much as the hostages on the attacks of October 7. The Palestinian people have been controlled both financially and forcefully by Hamas for years. Hamas doesn't want peace in that region. The only thing Hamas wants is the total annihilation of Israel. Because this situation involves human lives, on both sides, emotions run high, and while many of us can see both sides (Israel's and the Palestinian people's sides), but Hamas only wants control, and not a peaceful solution. How do you stand on the situation in that area now?