Geopolitics › Middle East & North Africa › Israel–Hamas war in Gaza
Hamas
Founded 1987; ruled Gaza from 2007; disarmament plan 2026· Conflict or rivalry
FactTreaties, membership, measured data, events.
The Palestinian Islamist movement that ruled Gaza from 2007, led the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, and in 2026 accepted a disarmament roadmap.
See it on the Geopolitics map →The picture
Founded in 1987 during the first intifada as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, it issued a 1988 charter calling for Israel's destruction; a 2017 document softened the wording but still refused recognition. The US, EU and others list it as terrorist. It won Palestinian elections in 2006 and seized Gaza from rival Fatah in 2007. The war after October 7 killed most of its top leaders, including Yahya Sinwar. In July 2026 it accepted, with reservations, a Board of Peace disarmament roadmap.
Why it matters
Its October 7 attack set off the Gaza war, a wider conflict involving Hezbollah, the Houthis and Iran, and a global debate over Israel's conduct.
Key facts and numbers
Hamas's 1988 charter and 2017 policy document, election results, Israeli and US intelligence, and statements by mediators Egypt, Qatar and the US on the 2025–26 agreements.
What to watch
Open as of 2026: whether Hamas really gives up its weapons, including light arms and tunnels, and whether Israel withdraws in return; each side doubts the other.
Connections (4)
▸Qatar hosts and mediates with HamasFact
The relationship
Since 2012 Qatar has hosted Hamas's political office in Doha, by its account at US request, keeping a channel open. With Egypt and the US it brokered the November 2023 hostage truce, the January 2025 deal and the October 2025 ceasefire. It also funded Gaza salaries and fuel, with Israel's approval, for years.
Since when and why
Doha; a key moment was Israel's September 9, 2025 airstrike on Hamas negotiators there, after which Trump issued a US security guarantee for Qatar.
How we know
Official statements by Qatar, Israel and the US, Netanyahu's apology to Qatar in September 2025, and the published ceasefire agreements.
What to watch
Debated: whether Qatar's hosting and money strengthened Hamas or simply enabled diplomacy, and how much leverage Doha really has over its leaders.
▸Iran's 'Axis of Resistance' (allied militias) includes HamasFact
The relationship
Hamas is a Sunni group in a mostly Shia network, but Iran funded, armed and trained its military wing. Ties soured when Hamas sided with Syria's rebels in 2012 and were repaired by 2017. Iran praised the October 7 attack, though US officials said Tehran was not told in advance.
Since when and why
Gaza, Beirut, Damascus and Tehran; Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran on July 31, 2024.
How we know
Hamas leaders' public thanks to Iran, US estimates of roughly $100 million a year in Iranian aid, and captured documents described by Israel.
What to watch
How much Iran knew about or helped plan October 7 is disputed; documents cited by Israel and US intelligence assessments differ.
▸Hamas launched the Oct 7, 2023 attack on IsraelFact
The relationship
On October 7, 2023 Hamas-led gunmen breached the Gaza fence, killed about 1,200 people in Israel, mostly civilians, and took 251 hostages: the deadliest day in Israel's history. Israel answered with a war in Gaza. Hamas calls the attack resistance to occupation and blockade; Israel, the US and the EU call it terrorism.
Since when and why
Southern Israeli border communities and a music festival near Re'im, October 7, 2023; the last living hostages were freed in October 2025.
How we know
Israeli casualty lists, video recorded by the attackers, survivor testimony, and UN and rights-group investigations; the toll is well documented.
What to watch
Investigations continue into Israel's intelligence failures before the attack and into how much Hamas's leaders abroad knew of the plan.
▸Gaza ceasefire, Trump's 20-point plan and Board of Peace requires the disarmament of HamasFact
The relationship
The 20-point plan says Hamas must give up its weapons and any role in governing Gaza, with amnesty for members who disarm; Israel withdraws in stages tied to disarmament, keeping a security perimeter until Gaza is secure. In late July 2026 Hamas accepted a Board of Peace roadmap for gradual decommissioning, but sought clarifications and insists Israel act in parallel.
Since when and why
Plan of September 29, 2025; disarmament roadmap announced on July 31, 2026 by Trump's Board of Peace.
How we know
The published plan and roadmap, and statements from Hamas, Israel and the Board of Peace.
What to watch
Whether Hamas actually hands over weapons, tunnels and rockets, who verifies it, and what Israel does if it does not.