Examining the historical, social, and political contexts in which Hamas emerged is essential for comprehending the organization's origins and development.
Hamas was founded in the late 1980s, but its history is intertwined with the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The partition of British Mandate Palestine by the United Nations after World War II led to the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. This incident set off waves of Palestinian migration, which ultimately led to the Arab-Israeli War. Although Israel now controls the West Bank and Gaza Strip, its Arab neighbors refuse to acknowledge its sovereignty.
Rise of Palestinian Nationalism:
As a result of the upheaval that followed the expulsion of Palestinian Arabs, a sizable refugee population emerged, and a Palestinian national identity began to take shape. After Israel's 1967 Six-Day War occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem, this sense of self-identity became even stronger. With Yasser Arafat at the helm, the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) became the de facto voice of Palestinian nationalism and the drive for self-determination and a Palestinian state.
Several Islamist movements also gained traction in the Arab world at the same time as the PLO's secular nationalist struggle. Political Islam as advocated by the Muslim Brotherhood was a major factor. Many Palestinians who were searching for new ways to challenge Israel and address social and economic issues were drawn to these movements because of their emphasis on the role of religion in molding society and politics.
Emergence of Hamas:
In 1987, during the First Intifada, Palestinians rose out against Israeli occupation and established Hamas. Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi were among the Palestinian activists who established the group. Multiple causes contributed to its emergence, including:
- Resistance against Israeli Occupation: Hamas emerged as a militant group dedicated to resisting Israeli occupation and imperialism. It was founded to combat Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory and to secure its independence for the Palestinian people.
- Religious Identity: Hamas is an Islamist group that sought to create an Islamic state in the biblical area of Palestine. It was a reaction against the Palestinian Liberation Organization's (PLO) secularism and the perceived failure of the PLO's efforts to found a Palestinian state.
- Social Services: Hamas was not just a violent group. The huge network of schools, hospitals, and charities it set up also had a role in winning over the Palestinian people, especially in the Gaza Strip.
- Opposition to the PLO: Hamas has opposed the PLO and its leadership, as well as the peace process. In the 1990s, the Oslo Accords attempted to mediate differences between Israel and the PLO through negotiations.
Evolution and Conflicts:
Hamas began as a solely militant group but has since expanded into political and social activism. In the Palestinian parliamentary elections of 2006, it triumphed decisively and took control of the Gaza Strip. This caused a rift between the Palestinian Authority (Fatah) in the West Bank, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, and Hamas in Gaza. The Palestinian political landscape is fragmented as a result of the war between Fatah and Hamas, making it difficult to negotiate with Israel as a cohesive front.
International Designation:
The United States and the European Union, among others, have labeled Hamas a terrorist group because of its actions, which include violence against people. The world community has condemned the group for its use of violence, which has included suicide bombers and missile strikes on Israeli cities.
As a result of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory, and in opposition to the secular PLO, Hamas developed in the late 1980s. Political, social, and religious issues all played a role in its inception, and it has since developed into a complex organization with both political and violent arms. Many governments have labeled Hamas a terrorist group because of the attention and controversy its actions have garnered around the world.