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[[Image:Hamas.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Hamas]]

[[Image:Hamas.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Hamas]]

'''Hamas''' ([[Arabic]]: '''حركة حماس''' "zeal") is a radical [[Islamic]] political and militant organization in [[Gaza]] and the [[West Bank]]. The group is regarded as a [[terrorist]] organization by the [[United States]], the [[EU]], [[Australia]], [[Canada]], [[Israel]], [[Japan]], [[Jordan]] and moderate Islamic leader [[Faisal Abdul Rauf]]. The name Hamas is an acronym of ''Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya'' (Islamic Resistance Movement). Hamas combines Palestinian nationalism with [[Islam]]ic fundamentalism, and "regards the territory of the present-day State of Israel — as well as the Gaza Strip and the West Bank — as an inalienable Islamic ''waqf'' or religious bequest, which can never be surrendered to non-Muslims."<ref>''Hamas, the Islamic Resistance Movement'' [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3377113,00.html YNet] Accessed July 18 2007</ref> Its charter commits the group to the destruction of Israel, the replacement of the Palestinian Authority with an Islamist state on the West Bank and Gaza, and to raising "the banner of Allah over every inch of [[Palestine]]."

'''Hamas''' ([[Arabic]]: '''حركة حماس''' "zeal") is a radical [[Islamic]] political and militant organization in [[Gaza]] and the [[West Bank]]. The group is regarded as a [[terrorist]] organization by the [[United States]], the [[EU]], [[Australia]], [[Canada]], [[Israel]], [[Japan]], [[Jordan]] and moderate Islamic leader [[Faisal Abdul Rauf]]. The name Hamas is an acronym of ''Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya'' (Islamic Resistance Movement). Hamas combines Palestinian nationalism with [[Islam]]ic fundamentalism, and "regards the territory of the present-day State of Israel — as well as the Gaza Strip and the West Bank — as an inalienable Islamic ''waqf'' or religious bequest, which can never be surrendered to non-Muslims."<ref>''Hamas, the Islamic Resistance Movement'' [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3377113,00.html YNet] Accessed July 18, 2007</ref> Its charter commits the group to the destruction of Israel, the replacement of the Palestinian Authority with an Islamist state on the West Bank and Gaza, and to raising "the banner of Allah over every inch of [[Palestine]]."

Before [[Arab Spring]], Hamas had its headquarters in [[Damascus]], [[Syria]] under the protection and support of that country's dictator, [[Bashar al-Assad]]. Hamas also receives much support from theocratic [[Iran]].

Before [[Arab Spring]], Hamas had its headquarters in [[Damascus]], [[Syria]] under the protection and support of that country's dictator, [[Bashar al-Assad]]. Hamas also receives much support from theocratic [[Iran]].

== Name ==

== Name ==

 

''Hamas'' is an [[Acronym and initialism|acronym]] of the [[Arabic language|Arabic]] phrase حركة المقاومة الاسلامية, or '''Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya''' or "Islamic Resistance Movement". Ami Isseroff on ''MidEast web'' states that the acronym is also the Arabic word for "zeal".<ref>[http://www.mideastweb.org/hamashistory.htm "A History of the Hamas Movement"]. Copyright 1999-2002. ''MidEast Web''.</ref>

''Hamas'' is an [[Acronym and initialism|acronym]] of the [[Arabic language|Arabic]] phrase حركة المقاومة الاسلامية, or '''Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya''' or "Islamic Resistance Movement". Ami Isseroff on ''MidEast web'' states that the acronym is also the Arabic word for "zeal".<ref>[http://www.mideastweb.org/hamashistory.htm "A History of the Hamas Movement"]. Copyright 1999-2002. ''MidEast Web''.</ref>

== History ==

== History ==

Hamas was founded by terrorist Sheik Ahmed Yassin as the [[Egypt|Egyptian]] [[Muslim Brotherhood|Muslim Brotherhood's]] local political arm in December 1987, following the outbreak of the first [[intifada]]. Hamas published its official charter in 1988. From the 1990s it achieved notoriety for its use of the tactic of [[suicide bombing]], principally against civilian targets in Israel. Hamas members started carrying out terrorist attacks starting in the late '80s, at first in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The first Hamas suicide bombing took place on April 26 1993, when Saher al-tamam attacked two Israeli buses in front of a coffee shop in Mehola, killing and injuring several Israelis. It is believed to have killed more than 1500 people in more than 350 separate terrorist attacks since then.  

Hamas was founded by terrorist Sheik Ahmed Yassin as the [[Egypt]]ian [[Muslim Brotherhood|Muslim Brotherhood's]] local political arm in December 1987, following the outbreak of the first [[intifada]]. Hamas published its official charter in 1988. From the 1990s it achieved notoriety for its use of the tactic of [[suicide bombing]], principally against civilian targets in Israel. Hamas members started carrying out terrorist attacks starting in the late '80s, at first in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The first Hamas suicide bombing took place on April 26, 1993, when Saher al-tamam attacked two Israeli buses in front of a coffee shop in Mehola, killing and injuring several Israelis. It is believed to have killed more than 1500 people in more than 350 separate terrorist attacks since then.  

=== Opinion of Fatah ===

=== Opinion of Fatah ===

===Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades===

===Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades===

In 1991, Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades became the armed branch of the group Hamas. It is names after Ezzedeen Al-Qassam, an Islamic militant who was killed in 1935. The stated goals of the brigade are as followed:to fight Israel, take over Israel, and invoke a spirit of Jihad among the Palestinians. The group is made up of many different cells. Secrecy is important, and sometimes cells do not know what other cells are doing. The group said by September of 2000, more than 800 of its members had been killed. The leader of the militant wing is Muhamad Deif.<ref>http://www.alqassam.ps/english/?action=aboutus</ref>

In 1991, Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades became the armed branch of the group Hamas. It is names after Ezzedeen Al-Qassam, an Islamic militant who was killed in 1935. The stated goals of the brigade are as followed:to fight Israel, take over Israel, and invoke a spirit of Jihad among the Palestinians. The group is made up of many different cells. Secrecy is important, and sometimes cells do not know what other cells are doing. The group said by September 2000, more than 800 of its members had been killed. The leader of the militant wing is Muhamad Deif.<ref>http://www.alqassam.ps/english/?action=aboutus</ref>

===Social Programs ===

===Social Programs ===

<ref>http://www.cfr.org/publication/8968/#12</ref>

<ref>http://www.cfr.org/publication/8968/#12</ref>

In January of 2006 the political wing of Hamas won many seats in the Palestinian elections.<ref>http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2006/02/mil-060218-voa05.htm</ref>

In January 2006 the political wing of Hamas won many seats in the Palestinian elections.<ref>http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2006/02/mil-060218-voa05.htm</ref>

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"Every day, there was screaming; every night, torture. Hamas was torturing its own people!" he writes. The Muslims he met in jail "bore no resemblance to my father" and "were mean and petty . . . bigots and hypocrites."   

"Every day, there was screaming; every night, torture. Hamas was torturing its own people!" he writes. The Muslims he met in jail "bore no resemblance to my father" and "were mean and petty . . . bigots and hypocrites."   

The Shin Bet approached him in prison after his arrest and asked him to spy for Israel, and being a double agent appealed to him as a way of gaining revenge on Israel from the inside. He accepted and stayed on Shin Bet's payroll for a decade, and in the early years they encouraged him to study and be a model son.<ref>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703915204575103481069258868.html#printMode Matthew Kaminski, ''They Need to Be Liberated From Their God''], Wall Street Journal,  March 6, 2010</ref>  

The Shin Bet approached him in prison after his arrest and asked him to spy for Israel, and being a double agent appealed to him as a way of gaining revenge on Israel from the inside. He accepted and stayed on Shin Bet's payroll for a decade, and in the early years they encouraged him to study and be a model son.<ref name="online.wsj.com">[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703915204575103481069258868.html#printMode Matthew Kaminski, ''They Need to Be Liberated From Their God''], Wall Street Journal,  March 6, 2010</ref>  

According to a review by [[New York Times]] best-selling author Joel C. Rosenberg of Mosab's book, ''Son of Hamas: A Gripping Account of Terror, Betrayal, Political Intrigue, and Unthinkable Choices'',  

According to a review by [[New York Times]] best-selling author Joel C. Rosenberg of Mosab's book, ''Son of Hamas: A Gripping Account of Terror, Betrayal, Political Intrigue, and Unthinkable Choices'',  

"I'd seen enough killing. I was a witness to lots of death . . . Saving a human life was something really, really beautiful . . . no matter who they are. Not only Israeli people owe me their lives. I guarantee many terrorists, many Palestinian leaders, owe me their lives—or in other words they owe my Lord their lives."

"I'd seen enough killing. I was a witness to lots of death . . . Saving a human life was something really, really beautiful . . . no matter who they are. Not only Israeli people owe me their lives. I guarantee many terrorists, many Palestinian leaders, owe me their lives—or in other words they owe my Lord their lives."

His handler—a "Captain Loai," now retired from the Shin Bet—corroborated many of these stories to Haaretz. The paper said the Shin Bet considered Mr. Yousef "the most reliable and most senior agent."<ref>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703915204575103481069258868.html#printMode Matthew Kaminski, ''They Need to Be Liberated From Their God''], Wall Street Journal,  March 6, 2010</ref></blockquote>

His handler—a "Captain Loai," now retired from the Shin Bet—corroborated many of these stories to Haaretz. The paper said the Shin Bet considered Mr. Yousef "the most reliable and most senior agent."<ref name="online.wsj.com"/></blockquote>

Gideon Ezra, formerly deputy leader of Shin Bet and now a member of the Knesset for the Kadima party,  told BBC World Service that Mosab had been one of its agents. Mosab Hassan Yousef was considered Shin Bet's most reliable source in the Hamas leadership, earning himself the nickname "the Green Prince". One of his Israeli "handlers" told the paper that he had saved many lives, with one of his insights "worth 1,000 hours of thought by top experts" "The amazing thing is that none of his actions were done for money".     

Gideon Ezra, formerly deputy leader of Shin Bet and now a member of the Knesset for the Kadima party,  told BBC World Service that Mosab had been one of its agents. Mosab Hassan Yousef was considered Shin Bet's most reliable source in the Hamas leadership, earning himself the nickname "the Green Prince". One of his Israeli "handlers" told the paper that he had saved many lives, with one of his insights "worth 1,000 hours of thought by top experts" "The amazing thing is that none of his actions were done for money".     

Sheik Hassan Yousef said in a letter that his family had renounced "the one who was once our eldest son, who is called Mosab."<ref>[http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hrgjmmb3eX8TDEIAXEcp-TOfWpnAD9E7HI480 The Associated Press, ''Hamas spy unafraid, criticizes Islam'] Mar 3, 2010'</ref>

Sheik Hassan Yousef said in a letter that his family had renounced "the one who was once our eldest son, who is called Mosab."<ref>[http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hrgjmmb3eX8TDEIAXEcp-TOfWpnAD9E7HI480 The Associated Press, ''Hamas spy unafraid, criticizes Islam'] Mar 3, 2010'</ref>

==See Also==

==See also==

*[[Suicide bomber: a personal account]]

*[[Suicide bomber: a personal account]]

==External Links==

==External links==

*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7v1C0VUhyA A Hamas made video of one of their suicide bomber operations]

*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7v1C0VUhyA A Hamas made video of one of their suicide bomber operations]

*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LN-dKwod3VM&feature=related Fox news video interview of Mosab Hassan Yousef], the son of  Sheikh Hassan Yousef, one of the founders of Hamas.

*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LN-dKwod3VM&feature=related Fox news video interview of Mosab Hassan Yousef], the son of  Sheikh Hassan Yousef, one of the founders of Hamas.