GAZA CITY, GAZA - JULY 20: Palestinian Hamas militants are seen during a military show in the Bani Suheila district on July 20, 2017 in Gaza City, Gaza. For the past ten years Gaza residents have lived with constant power shortages, in recent years these cuts have worsened, with supply of regular power limited to four hours a day. On June 11, 2017 Israel announced a new round of cuts at the request of the Palestinian authorities and the decision was seen as an attempt by President Mahmoud Abbas to pressure Gaza's Hamas leadership. Prior to the new cuts Gaza received 150 megawatts per day, far below it's requirements of 450 megawatts. In April, Gaza's sole power station which supplied 60 megawatts shut down, after running out of fuel, the three lines from Egypt, which provided 27 megawatts are rarely operational, leaving Gaza reliant on the 125 megawatts supplied by Israel's power plant. The new cuts now restrict electricity to three hours a day severely effecting hospital patients with chronic conditions and babies on life support. During blackout hours residents use private generators, solar panels and battery operated light sources to live. June 2017 also marked ten years since Israel began a land, sea and air blockade over Gaza. Under the blockade, movement of people and goods is restricted and exports and imports of raw materials have been banned. The restrictions have virtually cut off access for Gaza's two million residents to the outside world and unemployment rates have skyrocketed forcing many people into poverty and leaving approximately 80% of the population dependent on humanitarian aid. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
Hamas, short for Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya (Islamic Resistance Movement), is a Palestinian militant and political organization. Founded in 1987 during the First Intifada against Israeli rule in the occupied territories, Hamas has evolved into a multifaceted entity with both armed and political wings.
1. Political Wing:
Hamas operates as a political party in the Palestinian territories, notably in the Gaza Strip. It gained significant support and won the Palestinian legislative elections in 2006. The international community, including the United States and the European Union, has designated Hamas as a terrorist organization due to its refusal to recognize Israel and past involvement in violence.
2. Military Wing:
The military wing of Hamas, known as the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, has engaged in armed resistance against Israel. This includes suicide bombings, rocket attacks, and other forms of insurgency. The group’s military activities have been a source of conflict in the region, contributing to tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.
3. Ideology:
Hamas is rooted in Islamist ideology and seeks to establish an Islamic state in historic Palestine. Its charter emphasizes resistance to Israeli occupation and rejects any compromises regarding the territory it considers as Palestine.
4. International Status:
While Hamas has garnered support from some Arab and Muslim nations, it is widely considered a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, Canada, Israel, and others. The group’s actions and stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict have led to its isolation on the international stage.
5. Relations with Fatah:
Hamas has had a complex relationship with Fatah, another major Palestinian political party. The rivalry between the two factions has resulted in internal Palestinian divisions, with Fatah controlling the West Bank and Hamas controlling the Gaza Strip.
In summary, Hamas is a controversial and multifaceted organization, combining political and militant elements. Its actions and ideology have led to its designation as a terrorist group by various countries and organizations, while it maintains support from some quarters within the Arab and Muslim world.
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