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• Hamas is a Palestinian, Sunni Islamist, organization that has, since January, 2006, formed the majority party of the Palestinian National Authority.

  As of February 2, 2009, the tenuous ceasefire between Israel and the Gaza Strip has held. The United Nations appealed to both Israel and Egypt to allow the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip to proceed. During the three-week period when Israel attacked the Gaza Strip, United Nations teams were also attacked. The UN has built a $613 million fund to help rebuild Gaza, but unless Israel and Egypt allow construction materials and heavy equipment into Gaza, the reconstruction will not occur.Los Angeles Times: U.N. makes $613-million appeal for Gaza (January 30, 2009) VOA News: UN Urges No Political Interference in Gaza Aid Operation (February 2, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. Created: 1987
  2. Hamas is an acronym from "Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya"Intelligence Resource Program: HAMAS (Islamic Resistance Movement)
  3. It translates to "Islamic Resistance Movement"Intelligence Resource Program: HAMAS (Islamic Resistance Movement)
  4. As a single Arabic word rather than an acronym, "Hamas" means "zeal"Intelligence Resource Program: HAMAS (Islamic Resistance Movement)
  5. Founded by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin of the Gaza wing of the Muslim Brotherhood
  6. Listed as a terrorist organization by, among others, the United Kingdom, Israel and the U.S.

• Hamas A Terrorist Group

  The group was founded in Gaza in 1987 in the lead up to the declaration of the First Intifada. The group is officially considered a terrorist organization by the United StatesState.gov: United States Department of State - Office of the Coordinator For Counterterroism, CanadaPublic Safety Canada: Currently Listed Entities, IsraelIsrael Ministry of Foreign Affairs: The Financial Sources of the Hamas Terror Organization (July 30, 2003) and the United Kingdom,Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Behind the Headlines: Pragmatic Arab views of Hamas among others. The European Union considers Hamas a group "involved in terrorist attacks."The Official Journal of the European Union: Council Decision

• End of Cease-Fire

  A cease-fire between Hamas and Israel ended in December 2008. It was followed by talks about an extension of the cease-fire. At the same time, tension escalated. Hamas fired rockets into Israel and said the rockets were a revenge for three Hamas members killed by Israel. Israel said they were preparing an invasion into Gaza.BBC News: Israel warns Hamas over rockets (December 25, 2008) YouTube Video: Israel warns Hamas over rockets (Time:2:33)

• Israel Attacks Gaza Strip

  On December 27, 2008, Israeli air force launched attacks on the Gaza Strip. The attacks had killed about 300 people and injured about 650, as of December 29, 2008. Most people killed were Hamas members.CNN: Barak: Israel in 'all-out war' with Hamas (December 29, 2008) On January 2, 2009, Israel confirmed that it had destroyed the homes of at least 12 Hamas operatives, including that of military leader Nizar Rayan, as well as a mosque they claim was used to store weapons.Associated Press: Israel destroys Hamas homes, flattens Gaza mosque (January 2, 2008) Although the U.S. Security Council has decided on a resolution for the conflict, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel flatly rejected it, stating that Hamas has continued to attack Israel.The New York Times: Israel and Hamas Rebuff U.N. Cease-Fire Call (January 9, 2009) Hamas announced that they would accept a principle cease fire proposal made by Egypt, though demanded further details on several clauses.Haaretz.com: Hamas: We accept Egypt's proposal for Gaza truce (January 14, 2009)

  On January 16, 2009, Hamas political leader Khaled Mashaal rejected Israel's conditions for a cease-fire agreement after three weeks of fighting in the Gaza Strip. Mashall has said Hamas would only accept a cease-fire if Israel agreed to withdraw from Gaza and open blockaded border crossings within the territory.FOXNews.com: Hamas Chief Refuses Israeli Conditions for Gaza Cease-Fire (January 16, 2009)

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Israel Ground Invasion | Israel Attacks Gaza Strip | Fatah | Fatah-Hamas Conflict | Israeli-Palestinian Conflict | Israel Gaza Incursion (December 2007) | The West Bank | Gaza Strip | Israel-Lebanon Conflict | Hezbollah | Mahmoud Abbas | Shimon Peres | Ehud Olmert | Terrorism | PLO | Mahmoud Zahar | Hussam Zahar | Hassan Nasrallah | Israel Air Strike Protests | Hamas Israel Truce | Israel Attacks Gaza Strip | Iran Hamas | ANSWER Coalition | Amir Mansi | Daniel Andreas San Diego

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