On Saturday, the situation between Israel and Palestinian militants escalated significantly, with Palestinian militants firing more than 5,000 rockets from the Gaza Strip toward Israel. This barrage of rockets resulted in casualties, including four fatalities and numerous injuries, while also triggering air raid sirens across Israel. The severity of the rocket attacks raised concerns about the potential for a new round of intense conflict in the region.

Hamas militants are members of the Palestinian organization known as Hamas (Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya), which is an acronym for the Islamic Resistance Movement. Hamas is a political and militant group with a significant presence in the Palestinian territories, particularly in the Gaza Strip. It was founded in 1987 during the First Intifada, a Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation.

Hamas militants are primarily known for their armed resistance against Israel. They consider themselves as freedom fighters and view their struggle as a response to what they perceive as Israeli oppression and occupation of Palestinian lands. Their tactics have included rocket attacks on Israeli cities, suicide bombings, and armed confrontations with Israeli forces.

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Hamas emerged as a significant political force in Palestinian territories, winning the Palestinian Legislative Council elections in 2006. This victory led to Hamas’s control of the Gaza Strip, while the West Bank remained under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority (PA), led by the rival Fatah party. This division created a complex political landscape within Palestinian territories, with Hamas militants governing Gaza and engaging in conflicts with Israel.

Hamas is considered a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States, the European Union, and several other countries due to its use of violence against civilians. However, it also has a significant base of support among Palestinians, particularly in Gaza, where it provides social services and humanitarian aid, effectively acting as a de facto government.

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It’s important to note that while Hamas is widely recognized for its militant activities, it also operates as a political entity with elected officials and representatives. The organization’s leadership is headquartered in Gaza, and its objectives and strategies are subject to ongoing debate and contention within the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.