What is Hamas?

The militant group, explained.   Wednesday, October 11, 2023 Hey readers, Today we’re explaining what you need to know about Hamas, the militant group that attacked Israel. Do you have any questions about what happens next in the war? Let us know [here](. —Izzie Ramirez, [Future Perfect]( deputy editor   UP FIRST Hamas, explained Khalil Hamra/AP So what exactly is Hamas, and what does it want? Nicole Narea and Li Zhou [explain the militant organization responsible for attacking Israel]( over the weekend. The lowdown: On October 7, Hamas fighters launched a large-scale attack across Israel's southern border with Gaza, killing and capturing Israeli soldiers and civilians. Hamas, designated as a terrorist [organization]( by many nations, including the US, has been leading armed resistance against Israel for decades, and also controls one of the two major political parties in Palestine. - Hamas was formed in 1987 as an outgrowth of the [Muslim Brotherhood](, an Islamist political group founded in Egypt in the late 1920s. - The name Hamas is an acronym for [Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya]( (in English, Islamic Resistance Movement). - At its core, Hamas wants an independent Palestinian state, one that, according to its 2017 manifesto, would at the very least include the land Palestinians held in 1967. It also wants greater political power, both in Palestine and internationally. - It rose to prominence during the first intifada, a Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem. That uprising formally ended in 1993 with the signing of the Oslo Accords, an agreement that laid the groundwork for the formation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, though that was never realized. - In 2006, the group won a majority in the Palestinian Legislative Council election over the secular Fatah movement, which has generally had better relationships with Western actors. As a result, Hamas rules over the Gaza Strip and Fatah governs the West Bank. - Hamas counts Iran as an ally, sharing an opposition to Israel and the United States’ role in the region. - Though popular with some segments of Palestinian society, it remains highly divisive in Palestine, as some prefer Fatah’s recognition of the state of Israel and disavow Hamas’s tendency for violence. (That said, Hamas has become more popular with younger Palestinians who believe Fatah is out of touch.) The stakes: While Hamas had [somewhat moderated]( its militancy since it assumed the responsibility of governing Gaza, it’s not clear what the future holds now that it has shown that it is willing to risk provoking a major Israeli military operation to achieve its aim of Palestinian self-determination. [Read the rest of Nicole and Li’s explainer here »](   CATCH UP Cities are asking the Supreme Court for more power to clear homeless encampments Mario Tama/Getty Images A decision five years ago transformed homelessness policy — but now the justices could overrule it. A bipartisan coalition of cities and states is pressuring the Supreme Court to intervene on a previous decision that said clearing out homeless people with no other place would be cruel and unusual punishment. Here’s what you need to know: - People without housing can’t be punished for sleeping or camping outside on public property if there are no adequate shelter alternatives available. - The major difference between now and five years ago is the emergence of a “concrete, well-funded movement” to criminalize homelessness. - In the last month, dozens of local governments have filed briefs pleading with the court to reconsider Martin v. Boise, the case that set this precedent. It includes liberal cities like Los Angeles, Honolulu, and Seattle. - If Martin is overturned, it will not only have implications for clearing tents, but likely also for sending homeless people to substance use or psychiatric treatment programs. [Read Rachel Cohen’s explainer here »](   VERBATIM 🗣️“In the short term, the House looks more dysfunctional than ever. McCarthy being deposed due to failure to appease the far right pretty obviously sets the stage for further dysfunction and crisis as far-right members try to flex their muscles even more.” —Nicole Narea and Andrew Prokop in their explainer about [the chaos in the House of Representatives](.   AROUND THE WEB - Biden announces new efforts to crack down on junk fees. The administration hopes to ban hidden or misleading fees by requiring companies to show the full price of a service or product upfront. [CNN]( - Rep. George Santos faces 10 new felony charges. The New York Republican was already facing 13 counts from a May indictment. He’s been accused of identity theft, wire fraud, conspiracy, and false statements. [NPR]( - The first car-free neighborhood built from scratch in the US delights. In Tempe, Arizona, a new suburban development paves the way for what new builds could look like in areas where cars dominate. [Guardian](    [Learn more about RevenueStripe...](   MORE READS FROM VOX [Why you’ve never heard of this common eating disorder behavior — and why that’s a problem]( [What’s next in Republicans’ rowdy fight to be the new House speaker]( [The fraught debate over whether the 14th Amendment disqualifies Trump, explained]([The art of quitting]( [Today’s crossword](   ONE LAST THING Enjoying the Sentences newsletter? Forward it to a friend, they can [sign up for it right here](. As always, we want to know what you think. We recently changed the format of this newsletter. Any questions, comments, or ideas? Write us at newsletter@vox.com or just reply to this email.    [Learn more about RevenueStripe...](   [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [YouTube]( This email was sent to {EMAIL}. Manage your [email preferences]( [unsubscribe](param=sentences). If you value Vox’s unique explanatory journalism, support our work with a one-time or recurring [contribution](. 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