Hamas
Oscar Pulido
Steven Gutierrez
Crystal Morales
Hamas Background
Arabic acronym for “The Islamic
Resistance Movement”
Grew out of the Muslim Brotherhood
Created in 1987 by Shaikh Ahmed Yassin
Headquarters in Gaza City, Palestine
The Slogan of Hamas
“God is it’s target, the Prophet is it’s model, the Qur’an
it’s constitution: Jihad is it’s path and death for the
sake of God is the loftiest of it’s wishes.”
Who are Hamas?
Largest and most
influential Palestinian
militant movement
Started out sponsoring
extensive social services
Separated into two
branches
Later would be known
for suicide bombings
Goals
Hamas combines Palestinian nationalism with
Islamic fundamentalism
Destruction of Israel
Replacement of Palestinian Authority with an
Islamic state
Strive to raise the banner of Allah over every
inch of Palestine
Leaders
Sheikh Ahmed Yassin
Abdel Aziz Rantisi
Khaled Mashal
Mahmoud Zahar
Ismail Haniyah
Sheikh Ahmed Yassin
Born on January 1, 1929
in Jura, Palestine
Founder of Hamas
Sentenced to life in
prison, released after 1
year
Assassinated on March
22, 2004 by Israeli
gunship helicopter
“We chose this road, and
will end with martyrdom
or victory”
Abdel Aziz Rantisi
One of the founders of
Hamas
Doctor and lecturer at
Islamic University
Took leadership after
Yassin’s death
Assassinated on April 17,
2004
“Violent resistance is the only
option for the restoration
of our stolen rights”
Khaled Mashal
Born in Silwad, Ramallah
Physics teacher
Unofficial leader of
Hamas
Represents Hamas
Internationally
“Our nation is moving
forward, and it is in your
interest to respect a
victorious nation”
Mahmoud Zahar
Born in 1945 to a
Palestinian father and an
Egyptian Mother
Yassin’s personal
physician
Senior official and
spokesperson
Secretly assigned to
leadership after Rantisi’s
assassination
Ismail Haniyah
Born January 1963
Degree in Arabic
Literature
Won the Palestinian
legislative election of
January 2006
Sworn in as Prime
Minister
More Moderate than
previous Hamas leaders
Political Ideology
Islamism
Nationalism
Religious
Conservatism
Right Wing
Primary Targets
Israelis in Palestine
Jews
Fatah
Anyone opposed to
the Islamic
Movement
Attacks
Hamas is believed to have
killed more than 500 people
in more than 350 separate
terrorist attacks since 1993
Most of the killings were
done by suicide bombers
Also use mortars, short-range
rockets, and small arms fire
Suicide Attacks
Recruits do not fit the
usual psychological
profile of suicidal people
Usually paid $3,000-
$5,000
Recruits undergo intense
religious indoctrination
The average bombing
costs about $150
Hamas Finances
Palestinian expatriates and private donors in
Saudi Arabia and other oil-rich Persian Gulf
states.
Muslim Charities around the world
Iran also provides significant support
Recent Activity
350 separate terrorist attacks since 1993
January 15, 2004 – female suicide bomber
May 14, 2004 – double suicide bombers
Boycotted 2005 elections
Participated in 2006
elections
Potential Threat to U.S.
November 8, 2006
Hamas called on Muslims around the world to
attack American targets
No attacks on U.S. have been linked to Hamas
Video
Hamas Children
References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamas
http://www.cfr.org/publication/8968/
http://web.lexis-nexis.com
http://www.fas.org/irp/world/para/hamas.htm
http://lexicorient.com/e.o/hamas.htm
http://www.youtube.com
http://www.camera.org