Hamas

Hamas is the Arabic acronym for "The Islamic Resistance Movement" (Harakat al-Muqawamah al-Islamiyya). The organization grew out of the ideology and practice of the Islamic fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood movement that arose in Egypt in the 1920s.

Hamas was legally registered in Israel in 1978 by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, the movement's spiritual leader, as an Islamic Association by the name Al-Mujamma Al Islami. Initially, the organization followed the Muslim Brotherhood's model of acting primarily as a social welfare agency that catered especially to the Palestinian refugees in the Gaza Strip and, over time, developed a good reputation for improving the lives of Palestinians. Hamas also exerted its influence through the mosques.

In August 1988, Hamas published the Islamic Covenant, which makes clear the organization is opposed to Israel's existence in any form. It states that "there is no solution for the Palestinian question except through jihad (holy war)." The group warns that any Muslim who leaves "the circle of struggle with Zionism" is guilty of "high treason." Hamas' platform calls for the creation of an Islamic republic in Palestine that would replace Israel. Muslims should "raise the banner of Allah over every inch of Palestine," it says.

The Muslim Brotherhood viewed jihad as a general duty and principle and it maintained that Islam would be established first throughout the Muslim world, only later to be followed by violent jihad against Israel, in which Palestine, too, would be liberated. Hamas stresses jihad as the sole and immediate means to solve the problem of Palestine. Hamas aims to create an Islamic state in all of Palestine. The immediate means to achieve this goal is the escalation of the armed struggle, and ultimately jihad, with the participation not only of Palestinian Muslims but of the entire Islamic world.

Hamas' violent activities are run by two central departments, which were established before the intifada. One is Hamas' military arm, created in 1982 in Gaza by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. In the early 1980's, the group began amassing arms for use against Israel. After it was uncovered in 1984, Yassin was imprisoned. He was freed as part of a 1985 prisoner exchange between Israel and PFLP-GC leader Ahmed Jibril.

A second Hamas arm called the Majd was created by Yassin in 1986 to monitor Arabs deemed to be "collaborating" with Israel or failing to follow Islamic doctrine. In 1988, a similar Hamas operation began in the West Bank.

The military apparatus of Hamas underwent several changes in the course of the intifada, as a result of preventive measures and exposure by the Israeli forces following major terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas operatives. The last form which this apparatus has taken is the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Squads, which is responsible for most of the serious attacks carried out by Hamas since January 1, 1992.

Hamas, has since September 2000, and increasingly so recently, perpetrated terrorist attacks in a variety of forms: firing Qassam rockets toward Israeli communities, infiltrations into Israeli communities to murder Israeli civilians, explosive charges against IDF tanks and vehicles, shooting toward civilian vehicles in the Gaza Strip, ambushes of IDF soldiers, dispatching booby-trapped boats towards Israeli ships and sending terrorists via the sea.

It also includes involvement in attempts to kidnap Israeli soldiers for use as "bargaining chips." Part of this activity was directed by Hamas prisoners in Israeli prisons, and most of it by the Hamas headquarters in the Gaza Strip, headed by Abd al-Aziz Rantissi.

In addition, Hamas operatives smuggle weapons and terrorists from Egypt into Gaza using underground tunnels and are involved in the development and production of weapons.

Due to the elimination of the leadership of the Hamas in the West Bank by Israeli forces in 2002-2003, the Hamas leadership in Gaza perceives itself as the central headquarters, and as such, directs and is responsible for terrorist attacks through Hamas operatives in the West Bank.

The leadership of the Hamas maintains organizational ties with Hamas headquarters around the world, and especially the Hamas headquarters in Syria.

The Hamas leadership in Gaza is involved in the recruitment and operation of terrorist cells among Israeli Arabs, which has so far, been thwarted by Israeli security forces . Rantissi was directly involved in directing and guiding this activity.

Hamas tries to present a separation between the political leadership and the military wing, as if the military activity serves no political aim. In practice, the formal "military leadership" of the Hamas is subordinate to what is known as the "political leadership." However, it is this "political echelon" of the terrorist organizations, which directs, instructs and determines policy, including terrorist activity. Interrogation of Hamas operatives point to Rantissi as directing Hamas terrorist policy. His public statements serve as instructions for terrorists to carry out attacks.

Hamas in Gaza takes advantage of the fact that the IDF does not have the presence in the Gaza Strip as it does in the West Bank, and thus Hamas continues with its widespread terrorist activity in Gaza. At the same time, none of the Palestinian security apparatuses operate to thwart the terrorist attacks, which take a heavy toll in human life of Israeli civilians and soldiers.

Since 1993, the Hamas has dispatched 113 suicide bombers, which comprise half of all suicide bombers. Seventy-two suicide bombers were dispatched by the Hamas since September 2000. The Hamas has recruited and operated 18 Israeli Arab cells. In these Hamas terror attacks since September 2000, 227 Israelis have been murdered and 1,393 wounded.

Hamas considers itself an alternative to the Palestinian Authority and has actively tried to undermine Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas. Hamas explicitly rejected calls from Abbas for a cease-fire and has made clear that it will not accept the road map or any other peace proposal that would recognize the existence of Israel.

Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin was assassinated by the IDF on March 22, 2004. Hamas named Abdul Aziz al-Rantisi his successor.

A Chronology of Terrorist Attacks Carried out by the Hamas Since September 2000:

May 14, 2004: Ten people were killed and 16 wounded in a double suicide bombing in the area of the Ashdod Port. Hamas and Fatah claimed responsibility for the attack.

January 14. 2004: A female suicide bomber killed four people and wounded 20 at the Erez Crossing in the Gaza Strip. Hamas and the Fatah Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack.

December 23, 2003: An Israeli couple were lightly injured when a Kassam rocket slammed into their house in Nissanit

September 9, 2003: Hamas claimed responsibility for two suicide bombings, the first at an entrance to the Tzrifin army base near Rishon Lezion and the second at Café Hillel in the German colony neighborhood of Jerusalem, which killed a total of 15 people and wounded at least 80.

August 19, 2003: Hamas and Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing of a bus in Jerusalem killing at least 18 people and wounding nearly 100.

August 12, 2003: Suicide bombers attack at the entrance to the town of Ariel.

June 20, 2003: An Israeli motorist was shot dead and three of his passengers were wounded when their car was fired upon by Palestinian terrorists near Ofra, north of Ramallah. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.

June 11, 2003: Sixteen people were killed and more than 80 wounded when a suicide bomber blew up a Jerusalem city bus during the afternoon rush hour. The bomber was disguised as an ultra-orthodox Jew. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.

May 19, 2003: A Hamas terrorist on a bicycle blows himself up next to a military jeep in Kfar Darom (Gaza Strip). 3 soldiers are wounded.

May 18, 2003: A suicide bomber, with an explosives filled bag, blows himself up near the A-Ram Junction in Jerusalem.

May 18, 2003: A suicide bomber wearing an explosive blows himself up on a bus at the French Hill Junction in Jerusalem. 7 Israelis are killed and 20 were wounded.

May 17, 2003: A suicide bomber dressed as a religious Jew, wearing an explosive belt, blows himself up in Hebron's Gross Square, killing 2 Israeli civilians.

April 30, 2003: A suicide bomber detonates an explosive belt at the entrance to a pub on the Tel Aviv boardwalk. 3 Israeli civilians are killed,and 62 are wounded.

March 5, 2003: A suicide bomber blows himself up on the #37 bus in Haifa. 15 Israeli civilians are killed, and 42 are wounded.

January 17, 2003: An explosives lade raft, guided by a suicide bomber, explodes after Israeli Navy ships fire at the craft 4 kilometers from Dugit, in the northern Gaza Strip.

November 21, 2003: A suicide bomber detonates an explosive belt on the #20 bus on Mexico Street in Jerusalem. 11 Israelis are killed, and 50 are wounded.

October 27, 2002: A suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt blows himself up at the gas station near the entrance to the city of Ariel. 3 Israeli civilians are killed, and 17 are wounded.

October 11, 2002: A suicide bomber is arrested at the entrance to a café before he could detonate his explosive belt.

October 10, 2002: A suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt at the "Coca-Cola" Junction/Bar Ilan Bridge. An Israeli civilian is killed, and 20 are wounded.

September 19, 2002: A suicide bomber detonates an explosives laden bag on the #4 bus on Allenby Street in Tel Aviv.

August 4, 2002: A suicide bomber detonates an explosive device strapped to his body on a bus travelling near Mt. Meron (northern Israel). 9 Israeli civilians are killed, and 48 are wounded.

June 18, 2002: A suicide bomber detonates an explosives laden bag on a bus travelling along Dov-Yosef Street in the Gilo neighborhood of Jerusalem. 19 civlians are killed, and 50 are wounded.

May 7, 2002: A suicide bomber detonates an explosive belt and an additional explosive device (in a bag) at a snooker club in Rishon Letzion. 16 Israeli civilians are killed, and 51 are wounded.

March 31, 2002: A suicide bomber blows himself up at the "Matzah" restaurant in Haifa. 15 Israeli civilians are killed, and 31 are wounded.

March 27, 2002: A suicide bomber blows himself up with an explosive belt Park Hotel in Netanya. 29 Israeli civilians are killed, and 144 are wounded.

March 9, 2002: A suicide bomber detonates an explosive device strapped to his body at the entrance the the "Moment Café" in Jerusalem. 11 Israeli civilians are killed, and 58 are wounded.

March 7, 2002: A suicide bomber attempts to detonate an explosive device on his back in the "Kafit" café on Emek Rafaim Street in Jerusalem.

February 6, 2002: A suicide bomber boards a bus travelling between the city of Maale Adumim and Jerusalem and attempts to detonate an explosive belt.

December 12, 2001: 2 suicide bombers detonate explosive devices next to Israeli vehicles in the area of Ganei Tal (Gaza Strip), while an additional explosive device is detonated towards another Israeli vehicle. 3 Israeli civilians are killed.

December 2, 2001: A suicide bomber detonates an explosive device concealed under a coat on a bus near Yad L'banim in Haifa. 15 civilians are killed and 35 are wounded.+December 1, 2001: 2 suicide bombers detonate explosive devices concealed in bags as well as explosive belts on Ben Yehudah Street in Jerusalem. Immediately afterwards, a booby-trapped car explodes. 11 civilians are killed and 170 are wounded.

November 26, 2001: A suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt at the Erez Checkpoint (Gaza Strip). 2 IDF soldiers are wounded.

November 8, 2001: A suicide bomber detonates an explosive device strapped to his body in the area of Bakah Al Sharikah as he attempted to travel to Israel. 2 IDF soldiers are wounded.

September 9, 2001: A suicide bomber detonates an explosive device strapped to his body at the train station in Nahariya. 3 Israeli civilians are killed, and 46 are wounded.

September 4, 2001: A suicide bomber detonates an explosive device strapped to his body on Neviim Street in Jerusalem. 13 Israeli civilians are wounded.

August 9, 2001: A suicide bomber blows himself up at the Sbarro restaurant in Jerusale, located on King George and Jaffa Street in Jerusalem. 15 Israelis are killed and 110 wounded.

August 8, 2001: A suicide bomber detonates a booby-trapped car next to the Bekaot chcekpoint in the West Bank.

July 9, 2001: A suicide bomber detonates a booby-trapped car next to an IDF vehicle in the area of Gush Katif (Gaza Strip). 1 IDF soldier is wounded.

June 22, 2001: A suicide bomber detonates a booby-trapped car near IDF forces in Alei Sinai (Gush Katif). 2 IDF soldiers are killed, and another soldier is wounded.

June 1, 2001: A suicide bomber blows himself up at the entrance to the "Dolphinarium" club in Tel Aviv. 22 Israeli civilians are killed, and 83 are wounded.

May 29, 2001: 2 terrorists approach an IDF position at the "Tofah" Junction (Gaza Strip). 1 terrorist detonates an explosive device strapped to his body, and the other hurled grenades and opened fire. 2 IDF soldiers are killed.

May 25, 2001: A suicide bomber detonates an explsosives filled container weighing 48 kilograms and 3 gas ballons at the Netzarim Junction in the Gaza Strip.

May 18, 2003: A suicide bomber detonates an explosive device strapped to his body at the entrance to a Netanya Mall. 5 Israeli civilians are killed, and 86 are wounded.

April 29, 2001: A suicide bomber detonates a booby-trapped car near a bus carrying children at Dir Sharif Junction.

April 22, 2001: A suicide bomber detonates an explosive device strapped to his body near a bus stop in the city of Kfar Sabba. 1 Israeli was killed, and 50 are wounded.

March 28, 2001: A suicide bomber blows himself up near a gas station at the Neveh Yamin/Kfar Sabba Junction. 2 Israeli civilians are killed, and 4 are wounded.

March 27, 2001: A suicide bomber bomber detonates an explosive strapped tohis body, near an Israeli bus at French Hill Junction in Jerusalem. The suicide bomber was killed. 21 Israeli civilians were wounded.

March 4, 2001: A suicide bomber detonates an explosives laden case on the main street of Netanaya.

March 1, 2001: A suicide bomber blows himself up while in a taxi, near Mi Ami Junction. 1 Israeli civilian is killed, and 10 are wounded.

January 1, 2003: A booby-trapped car explodes in Netanya. 35 Israeli civilians are wounded.

December 22, 2000: A suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt, blows himself up at the entrance to a resturant in the Jordan Valley. 3 Israeli civilians are wounded.

December 15, 2000: A suicide bomber attempts to detonate an explosive belt against Israeli security forces near the Erez Checkpoint. The suicide bomber also attempts to stab Israeli security personnel.

November 6, 2000: A booby-trapped raft explodes near an Israeli Navy "Dabur" craft, near the Israel-Egypt border in Rafah. Since Septermber 2000, 227 Israeli civilians have been killed, and 1393 wounded in suicide bombings carried out by the Hamas.