History of Hamas

The History of Hamas is an account of the Palestinian Sunni Islamist organization.

Before 1987 — Palestinian Islamic activities prior to the creation of Hamas

Sheikh Ahmed Yassin returned to Gaza from Cairo in the 1970s, where he set up Islamic charities, founding Hamas in 1987 as an offshoot of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood. According to the Israeli weekly "Koteret Rashit" (October 1987), "The Islamic associations as well as the [Islamic university — founded in 1978 in Gaza] had been supported and encouraged by the Israeli military authority" in charge of the (civilian) administration of the West Bank and Gaza. "They [the Islamic associations and the university] were authorized to receive money payments from abroad." By the end of 1992, there were 600 mosques in Gaza. Hamas attracted members through preaching and charitable work before spreading its influence into trade unions, universities, bazaars, professional organizations and local government political races beginning in December 2004. “Thanks to Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad (Israel’s Institute for Intelligence and Special Tasks), the Islamists were allowed to reinforce their presence in the occupied territories. Meanwhile, the members of Fatah (Movement for the National Liberation of Palestine) and the Palestinian Left were subjected to the most brutal form of repression”, according to "L'Humanité".en icon/fr iconcite news|title=Hamas is a creation of Mossad (English translation)|publisher=L'Humanité|date=Summer 2002| accessdate=2006-05-02 | url=http://globalresearch.ca/articles/ZER403A.html; French original version: Cite news | title=Hamas, le produit du Mossad | date=December 14, 2001 | accessdate=2006-05-03 | publisher=L'Humanité | url=http://www.humanite.fr/journal/2001-12-14/2001-12-14-255050 ] Indeed Israel supported and encouraged Hamas' early growth in an effort to undermine the secular Fatah movement of Yasser Arafat. "Les très secrètes 'relations' Israël-Hamas" (The very secret Israel-Hamas 'relations'), "Le Canard Enchaîné", February 1, 2006 (issue n°4449) fr icon ] According to UPI, Israel supported Hamas starting in the late 1970s as a "counterbalance to the Palestine Liberation Organization"."Hamas history tied to Israel", United Press International, June 18, 2002] At that time, Hamas's focus was on "religious and social work". The grassroots movement concentrated on social issues such as exposing corruption, administration of "waqf" (trusts) and organizing community projects.

In a statement to the Israeli Parliament's (the Knesset) Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Monday February 12th 2007, Israeli Prime minister Ehud Olmert said"Netanyahu established Hamas, gave it life, freed Sheikh Yassin and gave him the opportunity to blossom" citeweb|url=http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1170359844280&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull|title=Olmert accuses Netanyahu of creating Hamas| ]

1987 — The establishment of Hamas

The acronym "Hamas" first appeared in 1987 in a leaflet that accused the Israeli intelligence services of undermining the moral fiber of Palestinian youth as part of Mossad's recruitment of what Hamas termed "collaborators". As Hamas's methods have changed over the last twenty years, so has its rhetoric, now effectively claiming that Israeli civilians are "military targets" by virtue of living in a state with universal military conscription. The first Hamas suicide bombing was committed in April 1993 at Mehola Junction.

1991 — The Persian Gulf war

Between February and April 1988, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin raised several millions dollars from the Gulf states.Fact|date=May 2008 Following Yasser Arafat's support of Saddam Hussein during the 1991 Gulf War, the Gulf states withdrew their funding from the PLO and directed it to Hamas. In prison since 1989, Yassin was released under “humanitarian reasons” by Prime Minister Netanyahu following a failed assassination attempt on Khaled Mashal, and expelled to Jordan, from where he was allowed to return to Gaza in October 1997. The Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military branch, was created a year before the Oslo Accords, in an attempt to block those negotiations.

2004 — A 10-year truce

On January 26 2004, senior Hamas official Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi offered a 10-year truce, or "hudna", in return for a complete withdrawal by Israel from the territories captured in the Six Day War, and the establishment of a Palestinian state (it remade the same offer after winning the majority in the PLC, accepting the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative [ fr icon Cite news | title=Le Quartet cherche une solution à la banqueroute palestinienne | date=May 9, 2006 | accessdate=2006-05-09 | publisher=Le Monde|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/web/article/0,1-0@2-3218,36-769645,0.html ] ). Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin stated that the group could accept a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Rantissi confirmed that Hamas had come to the conclusion that it was "difficult to liberate all our land at this stage, so we accept a phased liberation." He said the truce could last 10 years, though "not more than 10 years".

From the time of an attack on the Israeli southern town of Be'er Sheva in August 2004, in which 15 people were killed and 125 wounded, the truce was generally observed. Hamas violated once, in August 2005, with an attack on the same bus station, wounding seven, and in several attacks on Israeli motorists — killing six in several attacks. [cite news|title=Deadly Hebron cell caught|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3211836,00.html|publisher = Y Net News|date=February 6, 2006] [cite news|title=Shin Bet cracks Hamas terror cell|url= http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1138622559871&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull |date=February 6, 2006|publisher=The Jerusalem Post]

In the end of January 2004, Steve Cohen, a US civil servant in the State Department, was mandated by Colin Powell to attend a meeting with Hamas officials, according to the French newspaper "Le Canard enchaîné". The mission was not only in informing itself about the objectives of the movement, according to the newspaper, but also to evaluate if Hamas could represent a counter-balance to al-Qaeda. In exchange, Hamas officials asked for the end of extra-judicial "targeted assassinations" practiced against them by the Israeli military.

While the group boycotted the 2005 Palestinian presidential election, it did participate in the 2005 municipal elections organized by Yasser Arafat in the occupied territories. In those elections it won control of over one third of Palestinian municipal councils, besting Fatah, which has traditionally been "the biggest force in Palestinian politics". [cite news|title=Hamas success in Fatah heartland| publisher=BBC News|date=May 13, 2005|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4541383.stm] With this electoral success behind it, Hamas contested the 2006 elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council as the main component of the List of Change and Reform.

2005 — Israel's unilateral disengagement plan

In 2004, in a prelude to Israel's unilateral disengagement plan from the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces carried out a number of military attacks on Gaza cities and refugees camps, seeking to draw out and kill Hamas-affiliated gunmen. Awareness of high casualties during such incursions has led the Hamas leadership to instruct its activists to avoid putting themselves needlessly in the line of fire. On 12 September 2005 IDF withdrew from the Gaza Strip and declared an official end to Israeli military rule in Gaza, though Israel still retains control of the airspace and of the sea. However, the Palestinan Authority argues that the occupation is on-going, as complete sovereignty includes control of both airspace and seaways. The Gaza strip has been called a "lawless open-air prison". [cite news | title=Breakthrough or Blockade in Middle East Peace Process? Why Hamas won, and why negotiations must resume|author=Joel Beinin|publisher=San Francisco Chronicle|date=February 8, 2006| url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/02/08/EDGURH4I5P1.DTL]

Hamas claimed that this unilateral withdrawal was a victory for its armed struggle and pledged to liberate all the occupied territories, including the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Fatah, on the other hand, viewed Ariel Sharon's unilateral plan as proof of the Palestinians' failure to obtain international recognition. Both criticized the disengagement plan, citing Sharon's simultaneous encouragement of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including Ma'ale Adummim, a large settlement east of Jerusalem. [Cite news|title=Israel: Sharon the blessed |publisher=Le Monde Diplomatique|date=February 2006|url=http://mondediplo.com/2006/02/03sharon]

In April 2005, an advisor of Benjamin Netanyahu, principal right-wing opponent of Ariel Sharon, secretly negotiated with a Hamas representant, according to the "Le Canard enchaîné". The meeting was about the "possibility of an administrative co-gestion with the Hamas in the occupied territories", which is already the case in some Hamas-controlled cities of the West Bank, according to the French newspaper, which continues saying that: "But, in both sides, participants to such a dialogue keeps their mouth shut ("bouche cousue"). It is impossible to admit that one has met and negotiated with his sworn enemy."

January 2006 — Winning the legislative election

While Hamas had boycotted the January 2005 presidential election, during which Mahmoud Abbas was elected to replace Yasser Arafat, it did participate in the municipal elections held between January and May 2005, in which it took control of Beit Lahia and Rafah in the Gaza Strip and Qalqilyah in the West Bank. The January 2006 legislative elections marked another victory for Hamas, which gained the majority of seats, defeating the ruling Fatah party. The "List of Change and Reform", as Hamas presented itself, obtained 42.9% of the vote and 74 of the 132 seats. [ [http://www.elections.ps/template.aspx?id=291 The CEC announces the final results of the second PLC elections] ]

Political decisions and consequences on economy

The result of the election was regarded as a major setback for governments attempting to mediate the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The George W. Bush administration immediately declared that it will not deal with Hamas until it renounces its support of suicide bombings and violence, and accepts Israel's right to exist. Israeli president Moshe Katsav and Israel's ex–prime minister Shimon Peres both said that, if Hamas will accept Israel's right to exist and give up violence, Israel should negotiate with the organization. President Vladimir Putin said that Russia would not support any efforts to cut off financial assistance to the Palestinians, stating that Hamas gained power by democratic means. He invited some Hamas leaders to Moscow beginning of March 2006, and in May, repeated that cutting funds to the Hamas was a "mistake". Cite news | title=Une bouffée d’oxygène pour les Palestiniens | date=May 10, 2006 | accessdate=2006-05-10|publisher=RFI | url=http://www.rfi.fr/actufr/articles/077/article_43622.asp fr icon ]

The US and the EU cut all funds to the Palestinian Authority, with only Russia warning against the potential dangers of cutting out the PA from any western support. The EU (which gives $500 million per year to the PA) announced that future aid to the Palestinians was tied to "Three Principles" outlined by the international community — Hamas must renounce violence, it must recognize Israel's right to exist and it must express clear support for the Middle East peace process, as outlined in the 1993 Oslo Accords. Hamas does not seem to be ready to accept such conditions, and rejected them as "unfair". [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4664152.stm "Hamas rejects 'unfair' aid demand"] , "BBC News", January 31, 2006] At best, they would be ready to accept the Arab Peace Initiative formulated on March 28, 2002 during the Arab League Beirut Summit: full normalization of relations with Israel in exchange for Israeli withdrawal to the 1967 internationally recognized borders, implying Israeli evacuation of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, east Jerusalem, the Golan Heights and the return of all Palestinian refugees and their descendants. fr icon Cite news | title=Le Quartet cherche une solution à la banqueroute palestinienne | date=May 9, 2006 | accessdate=2006-05-09 | publisher=Le Monde|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/web/article/0,1-0@2-3218,36-769645,0.html ] Furthermore, the US has imposed a financial blockade on the PA's banks, impeding some of the Arab League's funds (e.g. Saudi Arabia and Qatar) from being transferred to the PA.

Israel, on the other side, decided to cut transfers of the $55 million tax-receipts of the PA that it receives on the PA's behalf, since the PA doesn't have any access point to receive taxes. On February 19, 2006, interim Israeli Prime minister Ehud Olmert, who called the PA a "terrorist authority", decided to stop transfer of the $55 million tax-receipts to the PA, which accounts for a third of the PA's budget (two thirds of its proper budget) and insure the wages of 165 000 Palestinian civil servants (among them 60 000 security and police officers). Israel had already done that in 1991 and 1992, but international aid had covered up the budgetary losses. Israel also decided to increase controls on check-points, but finally decided against blocking Palestinians from commuting between Gaza and the West Bank and from prohibiting them to work in Israel. Criticizing these measures, moderate Labor leader Amir Peretz said that they were "indirect ways" to "get around Hamas and strengthen moderate forces" among the Palestinians.

In May 2006, following a World Bank report about the Palestinian economy, the Quartet on the Middle East (the United States, Russia, European Union, and the United Nations) agreed to transfer funds directly to the Palestinian population. Israeli minister of foreign affairs, Tzipi Livni, said the measure was "acceptable", while PA minister of foreign affairs, Mahmoud Zahar, welcomed the promise of aid but criticised attempts to bypass the PA: "We appreciate every effort in order to help the Palestinian people by legal channels... and the legal channel is the Palestinian Authority, whether the presidency or the government,". [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4756407.stm "Palestinians to get interim aid"] , "BBC News", May 10, 2006]

The World Bank had already compared the 2001 and 2002 economic recession, due to the Second Intifada and Israel's refusal to transfer tax receipts, to the 1929 economic crisis. The UN underlined that unemployment, which was estimated to 23% in 2005, would increase to 39% in 2006, while poverty, estimated at 44%, would increase to 67% in 2006. According to a World Bank report published on May 7, 2006, the delay in paying the PA's civil servants — whom haven't received their wages since March 2006 — is dangerous both on social and security plans. This convinced the United States to accept the EU proposal, supported by Russia and the Arab countries, of finding a way to transfer funds to the Palestinian society without passing by the Palestinian Authority. The Quartet on the Middle East thus accepted, on May 9, 2006, an "international temporary mechanism of limited range and length" [ Cite news | title=Une bouffée d’oxygène pour les Palestiniens | date=May 10, 2006 | accessdate=2006-05-10|publisher=RFI | url=http://www.rfi.fr/actufr/articles/077/article_43622.asp fr icon ]

Last Fatah measures

Before the Israeli decision to cut transfer of tax receipts, Palestinian Assembly passed legislation giving to the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, the power to appoint a court that could veto legislation passed by the new Hamas-led parliament to be sworn in start of February. The constitutional court would veto legislation deemed in violation of the Palestinians' Basic Law, a forerunner to the Palestinian constitution. Palestinian deputies also backed a decree that automatically makes members of the incoming parliament members of the Palestine Liberation Organization's (PLO) parliament in exile. Unlike the Hamas charter, the PLO charter recognises the legitimacy of Israel. [cite news | title=Palestinian Parliament Gives New Power | publisher=The Washington Post |date=February 13, 2006 | url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/13/AR2006021300259.html?sub=AR] [cite news | title=Outgoing MPs boost Abbas' power | publisher=BBC News |date=February 13, 2006 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4708820.stm]

Hamas' declarations since the 2006 legislative elections

Although Hamas omitted its call for the destruction of Israel from its election manifesto, calling instead for "the establishment of an independent state whose capital is Jerusalem," several Hamas candidates insisted that the charter remains in force.cite news|publisher=The Guardian|date=January 12, 2006|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2763,1684472,00.html|title=Hamas drops call for destruction of Israel from manifesto] [cite news | title=Hamas: Ceasefire for return to 1967 border | publisher=Y Net News | date=January 30, 2006 | url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3207845,00.html]

On February 8, Hamas head Khaled Mashal speaking in Cairo had clarified that "Anyone who thinks Hamas will change is wrong". [cite news|date=2006-02-09|title= Hamas offers deal if Israel pulls out| publisher= The Telegraph |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/02/09/wmid09.xml&sSheet=/news/2006/02/09/ixworld.html]

However, on February 13, 2006, in an interview in Russian newspaper "Nezavisimaya Gazeta", the same Khaled Mashal declared that Hamas would stop armed struggle against Israel if it recognized the 1967 borders, withdrew itself from all Palestinian occupied territories (including the West Bank and East Jerusalem) and recognized Palestinian rights that would include the "right of return". This was the first time that Hamas even talked about an eventual stop to armed struggle. But Mashal continued to refuse to acknowledge the Road map for peace, adopted by the Quartet in June 2003, "since nobody respects it". The Road map projected the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in 2005. [cite news | title=Hamas will end armed struggle if Israel quits territories — leader | publisher=AFX News Limited |date=February 12, 2006 | url=http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/afx/2006/02/12/afx2519867.html]

In April 2006, Henry Siegman, former director of the American Jewish Committee, stated that according to "a prominent senior member of Hamas's Political Committee" Hamas is prepared to explicitly recognize the state of Israel. "Members of Hamas's political directorate do not preclude significant changes over time in their policies toward Israel and in their founding charter, including recognition of Israel, and even mutual minor border adjustments. Such changes depend on Israel's recognition of Palestinian rights. Hamas will settle for nothing less than full reciprocity." These sentiments "are in striking contrast to the odiousness of Hamas's founding charter," said Siegman. [ [http://www.nybooks.com/articles/18939] Hamas: The Last Chance for Peace? By Henry Siegman, New York Review of Books, April 27, 2006]

In May 2006, Hamas leaders threatened a new Intifada, as well as to decapitate anyone who tried to bring down their cabinet. [Abu Toameh, Khaled. [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1145961290193&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Hamas armed force readies for action] , "The Jerusalem Post", May 6, 2006.]

Cabinet formation

Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei and his cabinet resigned, leaving Hamas to form a new government, which was completely formed on March 20. On February 19, Hamas had chosen Ismail Haniya as Prime minister of the PA, and on the same day the government of Israel decided counter-measures against the new Hamas-led Palestinian Authority (suspension of $55 million transfer of tax-receipts). After the victory, Israeli human rights organizations have called on Hamas to stop its terror campaign against civilians and to avoid using violence as a tool to achieve a political solution.Fact|date=February 2007

On March 20, 2006, Hamas unveiled its full cabinet list, placing loyal members in charge of all key ministries; of the 24 ministers appointed, the majority were Hamas (the others were independent or technocrats). Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah refused to join the Hamas government. The position of foreign minister was given to Mahmoud al-Zahar, a Gazan leader and target of previous assassination attempts by Israel. Saeed Seyam, another Hamas leader, was appointed interior minister, in charge of multiple security agencies. Hamas member and engineer Ala el-Deen Al-Araj was appointed economics minister. The position of finance minister was given to Omar Abdel-Razeq, Hamas election official and economics professor from the West Bank. [cite news|publisher=Reuters|date=March 20, 2006|url=http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L20387227.htm|title=Hamas unveils Palestinian cabinet list]

In his interview to "The Sunday Telegraph", the newly appointed chief of the Palestinian security services Jamal Abu Samhadana stated: "We have only one enemy. They are Jews. We have no other enemy. I will continue to carry the rifle and pull the trigger whenever required to defend my people." [cite news|publisher=The Daily Telegraph |title='Jews are our enemy. I will pull the trigger whenever required'|date=2006-04-23|url= http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/04/23/whamas23.xml] However, president Mahmoud Abbas retained official control over the Palestinian security services. Cite news | title=Three die in Fatah-Hamas clashes | date=May 8, 2006 | accessdate=2006-05-08|publisher=BBC News | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4983510.stm ]

Tensions between Fatah and Hamas

Since the formation of the Hamas cabinet on March 20, 2006, tensions have progressively risen in the Gaza strip between Fatah and Hamas militants. In May 2006, "The Sunday Times" reported that Israeli security sources claimed they had uncovered a Hamas plot to assassinate president Mahmoud Abbas. [Mahnaimi, Uzi. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-2168494,00.html Israel foils plot to kill Palestinian president] , "The Sunday Times", May 7, 2006.] This was officially denied by a Hamas spokesman, while Mahmoud Abbas' spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudeina, described the report as "totally untrue". ["Un complot visant Abbas aurait été déjoué grace aux Israéliens", "L'Orient-Le Jour", May 8, 2006.] On May 8, three Palestinians were killed and 10 wounded in clashes in southern Gaza, near Khan Yunis, between rival Hamas and Fatah gunmen. The PA, confronted to the Quartet's blockade and Israel's refusal to hand out the $55 million in monthly tax revenues impedes it from paying its 165,000 employees. On May 6 and 7, hundreds of Palestinians demonstrated in Gaza and the West Bank demanding payment of their wages. Although this inter-Palestinian incident had been one of the most serious since January, 2006, tension had been slowly risen with the "economic squeeze" on the PA.

Twelve people were killed during the first days of October 2006 in armed clashes between Fatah, and the Hamas Interior ministry police. These clashes started when the interior ministry militia forcibly dispersed a gathering of Policemen demonstrating against unpaid wages. The Fatah affliliated Al-Asqa brigades have threatened to assassinate Hamas leaders including Khaled Meshal, Saeed Seyam and Youssef al-Zahar.Fact|date=February 2007 The Al-Asqa brigade kidnapped but then released a senior official in the Finance ministry.

Agreement and preservation of national unity

On June 27, Hamas and Fatah reached an agreement on the prisoners' document, which included the forming of a national unity government.

On February 8, 2007, Hamas and Fatah signed a deal to end factional warfare that has killed nearly 200 Palestinians and to form a coalition, hoping this would lead Western powers to lift crippling sanctions imposed on the Hamas-led government. [Saud Abu Ramadan and David Rosenberg. [http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601100&sid=aE3iGz0wnDsI&refer=germany Palestinians Reach Accord on Forging Unity Government] ". "Bloomberg", February 9, 2007.]

2006 Israel-Gaza conflict

On June 9, during or shortly after an Israeli operation, an explosion occurred on a busy Gaza beach, killing eight Palestinian civilians. [cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/frontpage/story/0,,1794536,00.html|title=Death on the Beach: Seven Palestinians killed as Israeli shells hit family picnic|publisher=The Guardian|date=2006-06-10] [cite news|url=http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2006-06/11/01.shtml|title= Palestinian Child Buries Slain Family |publisher=IslamOnline.net|date=2006-06-11] It was initially assumed that Israeli shellings were responsible for the killings, although Israeli government officials later denied this.Prompted by the recent events Hamas formally withdrew from its 16-month ceasefire on June 10, and took responsibility for the ongoing Qassam rocket attacks being launched from Gaza into Israel. [ [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/06/15/international/i025402D49.DTL&type=politics Militants Fire Rockets Into South Israel ] ]

On June 24, Israeli operatives apprehended Osama and Mustafa Muamar in the Gaza Strip, alleged by Israel to be Hamas members. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5112846.stm BBC NEWS | Middle East | Israel captures pair in Gaza raid ] ] On June 25, a Hamas attack in Israel resulted in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers and the capture of Israeli Corporal Gilad Shalit. Israel then launched Operation Summer Rains on June 28 to recover the captured soldier. The ongoing operation initially consisted of heavy bombardment of bridges, roads, and the only power station in Gaza. Several PA facilities were also bombed, such as the Palestinian Interior Ministry and the office of the Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya.

On June 29, Israel captured 64 Hamas officials. Amongst them were eight Palestinian Authority cabinet ministers and up to twenty members of the Palestinian Legislative Council, [cite news|title=ISRAELIS, PALESTINIANS URGED TO 'STEP BACK FROM THE BRINK', AVERT FULL-SCALE CONFLICT, AS SECURITY COUNCIL DEBATES EVENTS IN GAZA|publisher=UN|date= 2006-06-30|url=http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2006/sc8768.doc.htm] as well as heads of regional councils, and the mayor of Qalqilyah and his deputy. At least a third of the Hamas cabinet was captured and held by Israel.On 6 August Israeli forces detained the Hamas' Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Aziz Dweik, at his home in the West Bank.

In November 2006, a 64 year old woman executed a suicide bomb mission killing herself and injuring 2 Israeli soldiers slightly. Hamas claimed responsibility and its spokesman, Abu Obeida declared that "both Palestinian men and women are committed to battling the Israelis". [ [http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=1742512006 Suicide bomber was grandmother aged 64] ]

2007 End-of-Truce with Israel

On April 24, 2007 "six rockets were launched from Gaza [by Hamas] , two of which landed in Israel". According to Bloomberg news, Palestinians said the rockets were in response to Israeli military action over the previous weekend which had "killed as many as eight people in the West Bank, where there is no cease-fire, and one in Gaza." Most of the dead were militants, but Palestinians said at least two civilians, including a 17-year-old girl, were killed. Hamas announced that it considered the truce to be over. [cite web |url=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=ahPBbAK03DMs&refer=home |title=Hamas Rockets Hit Israel for First Time Since Truce |accessdate=2007-04-24 |format= |work=bloomberg.com ] [cite web |url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/851758.html |title=Sources: IDF to limit its response to rocket barrage |accessdate=2007-04-24 |format=html |work=Haaretz Service and Reuters ] [cite web |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3391429,00.html |title=Hamas fires rockets at Israel |accessdate=2007-04-24 |format=html |work=ynetnews.com ]

The rocket attack, which came on Israel's 59th Independence Day, caused no damage or injury. However, it marked the first time Hamas openly acknowledged firing shells toward Israel since agreeing to a cease-fire along the Gaza-Israel border in November.

Abu Ubeida, a spokesman for Hamas' armed wing, told foreign journalists that "there is no truce between us and the occupation, the occupation destroyed the truce from the moment it started, we did not trust the intentions of the occupation from the beginning." [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6586905.stm |title=Hamas fighters end Israel truce |accessdate=2007-04-24 |format=html |work=BBC ] Abu Ubeida told the Voice of Palestine radio station that "the cease-fire has been over for a long time, and Israel is responsible for that." [http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2007-04-24-israel-hamas_N.htm Hamas claims end to truce, fires rockets at Israel] "USA Today" 2007-04-24] "This is a message to the Zionist enemy that our strikes will continue," Abu Obeida said of the rocket fire. "We are ready to kidnap more and more, and kill more and more of your soldiers."

Israeli soldier Cpl. Gilad Shalit's kidnappers demand the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including veterans and those involved in killing or wounding Israelis.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on April 23, 2007 that freeing soldiers is important to the government, but that it would not repeat "mistakes made in the past" by releasing violent prisoners who then carried out more attacks against Israelis. But Olmert said there would be "no escape in the end from making a difficult decision" on trading prisoners for the captured Israeli troops.

Hamas militants stated on April 24, 2007 that they had launched 40 rockets and 70 mortar shells. The Israeli military said it could confirm six rockets and eight mortars. Two of the rockets fell in Israel, north of the Gaza Strip, the Israeli army said - they added that the attack was a diversion for an attempt by Hamas gunmen to kidnap IDF soldier. [cite web |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3391544,00.html |title=Hamas attempt to kidnap IDF soldier thwarted |accessdate=2007-04-24 |format=html |work=Ynetnews.com ]

2007 takeover of Gaza Strip

In June, renewed fighting broke out between Hamas and Fatah. As of June 14, 2007, the current Palestinian government has been dissolved. President Mahmoud Abbas has dismissed the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority government. [http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1632614,00.html] .

There was a brief war in which Fatah was completely routed, and the Palestinian Authority was effectively split in two, with Hamas in complete control of Gaza and Fatah in control of the West Bank. After executing some Fatah fighters, the Hamas leadership announced an amnesty. However, it is reported that people were still being killed, as of June 16th.

Brief timeline

* 1984 Arrest of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, sentenced to 12 years of prison after the discovery of an arms cache. Yassin is freed the next year.
* 1987 Creation of Hamas by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin.
* 1987–1993 First Intifada.
* 1988 .
* 1989 Israel outlaws Hamas and imprisons Sheikh Ahmed Yassin.
* 1991 Gulf War.
* 1992 Creation of the military branch Izz ad-Din al-Qassam.
* 1993 Oslo Accords.
* April 1993. First Hamas suicide bombing at Mehola Junction.
* Palestinian legislative and presidential election, 1996. Hamas boycotts them, allowing Fatah, led by Yasser Arafat, a large victory.
* January 5, 1996. Assassination of Yahya Ayyash, Hamas bomb maker.
* February-March 1996. 47 Israelis killed in three different bombings.
* October 1997. Freed by Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for "humanitarian reasons" (actually, due to the botched assassination attempt on Khaled Mashal, in September 25, 1997 by the Mossad in Jordan, a deal was brokered by Bill Clinton between Israel and Jordan) Sheikh Yassin is acclaimed as a hero on his return to Gaza.
* March 1998 - Death of Mohiyedine Sharif, master bombmaker
* September 2000. Beginning of Al-Aqsa Intifada.
* July 2002. Assassination of Salah Shahade, leader of the Ezzedeen-al-qassam brigades.
* March 8, 2003 Israel assassinate Ibrahim al-Makadmeh, a leader of the Hamas's military wing. 3 other men are also killed [http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2003/629/re1.htm]
* January 6, 2004. 10 year truce (hudna) offered by senior Hamas official Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi in exchange of Israel's complete withdrawal to the 1967 borders.
* March 22 2004, assassination of Sheikh Yassin. Yassin, then an old man restricted to a wheel-chair due to his life-long paralysis was assassinated in an Israeli missile strike. Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi replaced him as the leader of Hamas. On March 28, Rantissi stated in a speech given at The Islamic University in Gaza that "America declared war against God. Sharon declared war against God, and God declared war against America, Bush and Sharon" [http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2004-03-28-hamas-bush_x.htm] .
* April 17, 2004, assassination of Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi. Rantissi was also assassinated in an air strike by the Israeli Air Force, five hours after a fatal suicide bombing by Hamas. Khaled Mashal, the leader of Hamas in Syria, said Hamas should not disclose the name of its next leader in Gaza.
* April 18 2004, Hamas secretly selected a new leader in the Gaza Strip, fearing he would be killed if his identity were made public. However, it was speculated that the new leader is Mahmoud al-Zahar; the second-in-command, Ismail Haniya; and third-in-command, Sa'id A-Siyam. [cite news|url=http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=61435|date=April 26, 2004|title=Next Hamas Leader Confirmed|publisher=Arutz Sheva]
* September 2004. Israeli army Chief of Staff Moshe Ya'alon said that Israel would "deal with [...] those who support terrorism", including those in "terror command posts in Damascus".
* September 26, 2004. Assassination of Izz El-Deen Sheikh Khalil. Sheikh Khalil was assassinated by a car bomb in Damascus, Syria. Khalil was described variously as "mid-level", "senior", a "distinguished member", and believed to be in charge of the group's military wing outside the Palestinian territories. Although the Israeli government offered no official confirmation, anonymous Israeli officials acknowledged responsibility for the attack.Fact|date=February 2007 In a statement released in Gaza, Hamas threatened to target Israelis abroad in retaliation.
* October 2004. Assassination of Adnan al-Ghoul, assistant of Mohammed Deif, the leader of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam brigades.
* November 11, 2004. Death of Yasser Arafat, chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and president of the Palestinian National Authority.
* January 2005 Palestinian presidential election. Hamas boycotts them. PLO chairman Mahmoud Abbas elected to replace Yasser Arafat.
* Palestinian municipal elections, January-May 2005. Relative success of Hamas, which took control of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza, Qalqilyah in the West Bank and Rafah.
* March 2005. Hamas proclaims tahdiyah, a period of calm.
* January 25, 2006. Victory of the Hamas at the legislative election, which took 74 seats of the 132 seats.
* June 13, 2007. Hamas begins a takeover of Gaza, ending the coalition with Fatah.

ee also

* Hamas
* Israel-Palestinian conflict

References