TERRORIST GROUPS
HAMAS
( AS OF APRIL 2026 )
OVERVIEW
HAMAS is the largest and most capable militant group in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. It is committed to the armed resistance against Israel and to the creation of a Palestinian state governed by Islamic principles. The most recent major conflict between HAMAS and Israel began on 7 October 2023, when HAMAS launched a surprise attack in Israel, killing nearly 1,200 people. In that conflict, Israeli operations degraded HAMAS’s military capabilities in Gaza, and HAMAS and Israel agreed to a cease-fire in October 2025. Since then, however, both parties have repeatedly accused the other of violating the agreement.
HAMAS emerged in 1987 during the first Palestinian uprising, or intifada, as an outgrowth of the Muslim Brotherhood. HAMAS has been the de facto governing body in the Gaza Strip since 2007, when it ousted the Palestinian Authority. Although HAMAS released a document in 2017 that called for the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, it does not recognize Israel as a state and continues to advocate all forms of resistance against it. The group benefits from Iranian support, including monetary donations, as well as from private donations.
OPERATING AREAS
HAMAS operates primarily in the Gaza Strip but also maintains a presence in the West Bank; Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon; and other regional countries, including Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey.
MEMBERS
HAMAS had 20,000 to 30,000 fighters before October 2023. Around 20,000 fighters remained since the start of the cease-fire, which began in October 2025.
TACTICS AND TARGETS
HAMAS uses IEDs, short- and long-range rockets and mortars, small arms, RPGs, MANPADS, antitank guided missiles, and UAS and has an extensive system of tunnels within Gaza to advance attacks against Israeli military forces and civilians. The group also engages in cyber espionage, computer network exploitation, and kidnapping operations. HAMAS uses hostages to gain concessions from the Israeli Government, including the release of high-value Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons.
TERRORIST GROUP DESIGNATION
The US State Department designated HAMAS as an FTO in October 1997.
KEY LEADERS
Khalil al-Hayyah
Gaza Political Bureau chief and head cease-fire negotiator
Khaled Mishal
External Region Political Bureau chief since early 2021;
Political Bureau chief from April 1996 to May 2017
Izz al-Din al-Hadad
HAMAS’s military wing commander in Gaza since June 2025
Muhammad Sinwar [DECEASED]
HAMAS’s military wing commander until his death in May 2025
NOTABLE ATTACKS
18 August 2024
Tel Aviv
A person carrying an IED accidentally detonates the device before he reaches his intended target, killing himself and injuring a passerby. HAMAS issues a joint press statement with Palestine Islamic Jihad claiming responsibility and threatening future attacks in Israel.
7 October 2023
Israel–Gaza Strip border
Hundreds of HAMAS fighters launch a surprise attack supported by rockets and armed drones, killing nearly 1,200 people and kidnapping at least 240 hostages. In addition to Israelis, the victims include US citizens and people from more than 30 other countries—almost all with dual Israeli citizenship.
29 April 2022
West Bank
The Al-Qassam Brigades, HAMAS’s military wing, claims responsibility for shooting an Israeli guard in the West Bank. Other Palestinian militants also claim responsibility for the attack.
May 2021
Gaza Strip and Israel
HAMAS launches more than 4,000 rockets at Israel during 11 days of hostilities; Israel responds with widespread air and artillery strikes on HAMAS targets in Gaza. The conflict results in 260 deaths in Gaza and 13 deaths in Israel.
1 October 2015
Near Palestinian village of Beit Furik, West Bank
HAMAS militants kill a US-Israeli citizen and his wife in their car.