Hamas is an armed Palestinian group and political movement in the Gaza Strip. On 7 October 2023 it attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
This triggered a massive Israeli military offensive in Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.
Hamas, which the US, UK, Israel and many other nations have designated as a terrorist organisation, has been severely weakened during the conflict. However, Israel says Hamas still commands fighters in areas including Gaza City.
Hamas started as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood in 1987. Its name means Islamic Resistance Movement.
It is opposed to the existence of Israel on what it says is Palestinian land. It wants a state based on Islam in its place and across the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza.
