The conflict between Israel and Hamas has once again drawn global attention, leaving many people asking: what is Hamas, and why is it fighting with Israel in Gaza? To understand the situation, it is important to look at the history, the role of Hamas, and the reasons behind the ongoing violence.

What Is Hamas?

Hamas is a Palestinian political and militant group that was founded in 1987 during the First Intifada, a Palestinian uprising against Israeli rule. The word “Hamas” is short for the Arabic phrase Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya, which means “Islamic Resistance Movement.”

Hamas has two sides. On one hand, it is a political party that takes part in elections and runs social services, schools, and charities in Gaza. On the other hand, it has an armed wing that carries out attacks against Israel. Many countries, including the United States and the European Union, classify Hamas as a terrorist organization because of its use of violence against civilians.

Hamas in Gaza

In 2006, Hamas won Palestinian legislative elections. A year later, it took control of Gaza after a violent conflict with its rival political party, Fatah. Since then, Hamas has ruled Gaza, while the Palestinian Authority, led by Fatah, governs parts of the West Bank.

Gaza is a small strip of land on the Mediterranean coast, home to more than two million Palestinians. It has faced years of blockade by Israel and Egypt, which control its borders. The blockade is meant to stop weapons from entering Gaza, but it has also created severe shortages of jobs, electricity, clean water, and medicine for ordinary people.

Why Is Hamas Fighting Israel?

The main reason Hamas says it fights Israel is to resist occupation and to demand Palestinian rights. Hamas does not recognize Israel as a legitimate state and calls for the creation of a Palestinian state across the land Israel now controls.

Hamas often launches rockets into Israel, targeting cities and towns. Israel responds with airstrikes and ground operations aimed at Hamas leaders, fighters, and infrastructure. These clashes cause heavy destruction in Gaza and also lead to civilian deaths on both sides.

The most recent escalations often follow events in Jerusalem, disputes over holy sites, or Israeli military actions in the West Bank. Each cycle of violence deepens mistrust, making peace harder to achieve.

International View

The international community is divided. Some countries support Israel’s right to defend itself, while others focus on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and call for Palestinian statehood. Human rights groups often criticize both Hamas for firing rockets at civilians and Israel for using excessive force that harms many people in Gaza.

Conclusion

Hamas is both a political movement and an armed group that has ruled Gaza since 2007. Its conflict with Israel is rooted in decades of dispute over land, identity, and statehood. While recognition of Palestinian suffering grows worldwide, the cycle of violence continues. For now, civilians on both sides remain trapped in a struggle that shows no sign of ending soon.