Hamas: The militant group behind the surprise attack on Israel
Hamas is a Palestinian Islamist organization that controls the Gaza Strip and has fought several wars with Israel. It launched its biggest assault on Israel in 50 years, killing hundreds and taking hostages. Hamas is a Palestinian militant group that rules the Gaza Strip, a densely populated coastal enclave that is home to more than two million people. It has been at war with Israel since it took power in Gaza in 2007, and has fired thousands of rockets at Israel, as well as carried out other deadly attacks. It is regarded by the US and many other countries as a terrorist organization.
What is Hamas and what does it want?
Hamas is an acronym for Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya, which means Islamic Resistance Movement. It was founded in 1987 as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, a transnational Islamist movement that originated in Egypt.
Hamas does not recognize the state of Israel and wants to replace it with an Islamic state that encompasses all of historic Palestine, which includes the West Bank, Gaza and Israel. It also claims to represent the Palestinian people and their national aspirations.
Hamas has both a political and a military wing. The political wing runs the administration and social services in Gaza, and participates in elections and negotiations with other Palestinian factions. The military wing, known as the Qassam Brigades, carries out armed attacks against Israel and its allies.
Hamas has close ties to Iran, which funds it and provides weapons and training. It also has links to other Islamist groups in the region, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Islamic Jihad in Gaza.
Why did Hamas attack Israel?
Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on Saturday, October 7, 2023, which coincided with the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, when most Israelis observe a day of fasting and prayer. It was the first time since the 1948 Arab-Israeli war that Israel faced such a large-scale infiltration by an enemy force.
Hamas sent as many as 1,000 militants across the border into Israel, appearing to take control of various communities in the south of the country. They killed hundreds of soldiers and civilians, and took dozens of hostages back into Gaza.
Hamas also fired thousands of rockets towards Israel, targeting major cities such as Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa. The Hamas military commander, Mohammed Deif, said 5,000 rockets had been fired, but an Israeli military spokesperson said 2,500 had been fired.
The attack caught Israel off guard, as it had no prior intelligence or warning of the impending assault. Israel declared war on Gaza following the attack, launching retaliatory airstrikes and sending ground troops into the coastal strip1.
The attack by Hamas was seen as a response to what it described as attacks on women, the desecration of the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem and the ongoing siege of Gaza.
Hamas might also have been seeking to score a major propaganda victory against Israel to boost its popularity among ordinary Palestinians. Hamas might also have been trying to challenge the leadership of the Palestinian Authority (PA), which has recognized Israel and has engaged in multiple failed peace initiatives with it. The PA is based in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
What are the consequences of the attack?
The attack by Hamas has changed the dynamics of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, with analysts saying that things will never be the same again.
The attack has caused massive casualties and damage on both sides, as well as widespread fear and anger. According to Israeli officials, at least 250 Israelis have died in Hamas attacks, and more than 1,590 have been wounded. Among the dead are civilians, soldiers and hostages.
According to Palestinian sources, at least 230 Palestinians have been killed and 1,610 wounded in Gaza by Israeli retaliation. Among the dead are civilians, militants and hostages.
The attack has also sparked international reactions and concerns, as many countries and organizations have condemned the violence and called for a ceasefire.
The US, which is a close ally of Israel, has expressed its support for Israel’s right to defend itself, while also offering humanitarian aid to Gaza. The UN Security Council has held an emergency meeting to discuss the situation, but has failed to adopt a resolution due to the vetoes of China and Russia.
The attack has also raised fears of a wider conflagration, as it could involve other actors and regions in the Middle East and beyond. Some analysts have pointed out that the attack could be seen as a proxy war between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which are regional rivals and have different views on the Palestinian issue.
Iran supports Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza, while Saudi Arabia has been in talks with the US about normalizing relations with Israel.
Some experts have also suggested that the attack could trigger a chain of events that could lead to a third world war, as it could escalate into a conflict between Israel and its Arab neighbors, especially Iran, which has a nuclear program and supports Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Such a conflict could drag in the US and its NATO allies, as well as China and Russia, which have interests and influence in the region.
However, some observers have argued that the attack is not likely to spark a world war, as there are also forces and incentives that could prevent or contain the escalation. Some of these include:
The deterrence effect of nuclear weapons, which could make the major powers reluctant to engage in a direct confrontation that could result in mutual destruction.
- The diplomatic efforts of the international community, which could pressure or persuade the parties to de-escalate and negotiate a peaceful solution.
The public opinion and civil society movements, which could demand an end to the violence and support humanitarian causes. - The economic and environmental costs of war, which could outweigh the benefits or interests of the parties involved.
- Therefore, while the attack by Hamas is a very dangerous and complex situation that could have serious consequences for the region and the world, it is not necessarily a sign of World War III.
However, it is also not a situation that can be ignored or taken lightly, as it requires urgent attention and action from all stakeholders to prevent further bloodshed and suffering.
