Hamas is a Palestinian Islamist militant group that has been fighting against Israel since its founding in 1987. Hamas has a political and a military wing, and its leadership is divided between Gaza, the West Bank, and abroad.
Hamas Leadership
Here is a brief profile of some of the Hamas leaders, based on the web search results:
Ismail Haniyeh. He is the head of the Hamas political bureau and the overall leader of the group. He was elected to this position in 2017, succeeding Khaled Meshaal. He was also the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority from 2006 to 2007, before Hamas took over Gaza in a violent coup. He has lived in Qatar for the past several years.
Yahya Sinwar. He is the leader of Hamas in Gaza and one of the most influential figures in the group. He is the founder of the Hamas security service, Majd, and a former commander of the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas. He was imprisoned by Israel for 22 years, but was released in 2011 as part of a prisoner swap deal. He is known for his hardline stance and his close ties with Iran and Hezbollah.
Mohammed Deif. He is the chief of the Al-Qassam Brigades and one of the most wanted men by Israel. He has been involved in many attacks against Israel, including suicide bombings, rocket fire, and tunnel raids. He has survived several assassination attempts by Israel, which have left him severely injured and disabled. He is a shadowy figure who rarely appears in public or media.
Marwan Issa. He is the deputy chief of the Al-Qassam Brigades and the operational leader of the group. He is responsible for planning and executing the military operations of Hamas, including the recent surprise attack on Israel. He is also a former prisoner who was released in 2011. He is considered a close ally of Sinwar and Deif.
Izzat al-Rishq. He is a senior member of the Hamas political bureau and the spokesperson of the group. He is based in Qatar and is involved in the diplomatic and media activities of Hamas. He is also a member of the reconciliation committee that seeks to end the division between Hamas and Fatah, the rival Palestinian faction.
Hamas Organisation, Strength and Weapons
Hamas is a Palestinian Islamist militant group that has been fighting against Israel since its founding in 1987. Hamas has a political and a military wing, and its leadership is divided between Gaza, the West Bank, and abroad. Here is a brief overview of the organisation, strength, weapon holding and capability of Hamas, based on the web search results:
Organisation. Hamas has a political bureau that is headed by Ismail Haniyeh, who is based in Qatar. The political bureau is responsible for the diplomatic and media activities of the group, as well as the reconciliation efforts with the rival Palestinian faction Fatah. Hamas also has a military wing, known as the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, which is led by Yahya Sinwar in Gaza and Mohammed Deif as the chief of operations. The military wing is responsible for the planning and execution of the attacks against Israel, as well as the training and arming of the fighters. Hamas also has a network of social and charitable institutions that provide services and support to the Palestinian population in Gaza and the West Bank.
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Strength. The exact number of Hamas fighters is unclear, but it is estimated to be between 30,000 and 40,000. Hamas fighters are mostly recruited from the local population, and are trained in guerrilla warfare tactics, such as using rockets, snipers, improvised explosive devices, and underground tunnels. Hamas fighters are also loyal and motivated by their religious and nationalist ideology, and are willing to sacrifice their lives for their cause.
Weapon Holding. Hamas has a large and diverse arsenal of weapons, which it obtains from various sources, such as smuggling from abroad, manufacturing locally, or capturing from Israel. Hamas’ main weapon is the rocket, which it fires in large numbers and at long ranges, targeting Israeli cities and infrastructure. Hamas also has drones, which it uses for reconnaissance and attack purposes. Hamas also has anti-tank guided missiles, which it uses to target Israeli armored vehicles and tanks. Hamas also has shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles, which it uses to threaten Israeli aircraft and helicopters. Hamas also has a variety of bombs and mortars, which it uses to target Israeli troops and border crossings. Hamas also has a sophisticated cyber warfare capability, which it uses to hack and disrupt Israeli systems and networks.
Capability
Hamas is capable of launching multipronged and coordinated attacks against Israel, using land, air, and sea routes. Hamas is also capable of surprising and challenging Israel, by using new and innovative tactics, such as paragliders, bulldozers, pickup trucks, and motorbikes. Hamas is also capable of resisting and surviving Israeli attacks, by using its tunnel network, which allows it to store weapons and supplies, move fighters and equipment, and launch ambushes and raids. Hamas is also capable of mobilizing and influencing the Palestinian and Arab public opinion, by using its media and propaganda outlets, as well as its social and humanitarian institutions.
Hamas’ Regional Supporters
The support provided by Iran and Qatar to Hamas is mainly in the form of financial, military, and political assistance. According to the web search results, here are some of the details of their support:
Qatar is a key financial backer and ally of Hamas, which has transferred more than $1.8 billion to the group. Qatar also hosts the Hamas political bureau and its leader Ismail Haniyeh in Doha. Qatar’s financial support began in 2016 to avoid a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and was approved by Israel and the international community. Qatar’s political support also includes mediating between Hamas and Israel, as well as facilitating the reconciliation efforts with the rival Palestinian faction Fatah.
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Iran is a major military and ideological supporter of Hamas, which provides the group with weapons, funds, and training. Iran’s support for Hamas dates back to the 1980s, when the Islamic Revolution inspired the Palestinian Islamist movement. Iran’s support for Hamas increased after the 2006 Palestinian elections, when Hamas won the majority of seats in the parliament and faced a boycott from the West. Iran’s support for Hamas also includes supplying the group with rockets, drones, anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles, and cyber warfare capabilities.
Fear of Palestinian Refugees
According to the web search results, the main reason why Egypt and other Arab countries are unwilling to take in Palestinian refugees from Gaza is that they fear that Israel wants to force a permanent expulsion of Palestinians into their countries and nullify Palestinian demands for statehood. They also worry that accepting refugees would risk bringing militants into their territories, who might launch attacks on Israel and endanger their peace treaties. Moreover, they argue that taking in refugees would not solve the root causes of the conflict, such as the occupation, the blockade, the settlements, the refugees, and the recognition of each other’s rights and existence. Therefore, they prefer to support the Palestinians diplomatically and financially, and to call for an immediate cease-fire and a return to negotiations.
