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Rape, slaughter, and atrocities—see the real face of Hamas
Hamas is the militant group that controls the Gaza Strip, a densely populated Palestinian coastal enclave roughly equivalent in size to Washington, D.C. This territory is home to over two million people.
Hamas was founded in 1987 by Sheik Ahmed Yassin, who had affiliations with the Muslim Brotherhood, founded the group. This came during the initial Palestinian uprising against Israeli military control in the West Bank and Gaza. Over the years, Hamas has become notorious for its involvement in suicide attacks against Israeli civilians, as well as the abduction and killing of Israeli soldiers. Several nations, including the United States, have designated it as a terrorist organization. However, it also serves as the governing authority in the Gaza Strip.
In contrast to the Palestine Liberation Organization, led by Mahmoud Abbas, Hamas does not acknowledge Israel’s right to exist as a state. Furthermore, it has articulated intentions of removing all Jewish inhabitants from the region. The organization promotes a resolute stance on establishing a Palestinian state based on Islamic fundamentalism, extending from the Mediterranean to the Jordan River.
Hamas, labeled a terrorist group by the U.S., has held sway over the Gaza Strip since 2007 and has engaged in four conflicts with Israel since its ascent to power. With backing from Iran and operations extending into the West Bank, the organization remains committed to the pursuit of an independent Palestinian state.
On the morning of Saturday, October 7, 2023, Israel’s citizens were abruptly stirred from their slumber at 6:30 a.m. by the blaring sirens of war. These alarms, were activated from the south of Israel to its center, signaled a grave crisis. Israel’s defense mechanisms along its volatile border with the Gaza Strip crumbled under the pressure. In a swift and shocking turn of events, hundreds of Hamas militants infiltrated Israeli settlements, resulting in the tragic loss of countless civilian lives and soldiers. Moreover, a significant number of individuals were taken captive amid the chaos. The impact of this assault extended beyond the military sphere, as even the nation’s propaganda apparatus found itself overwhelmed and incapacitated.
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The Palestinian terrorist group claims some of the 163 Israelis, including children and soldiers, were ‘scattered in tunnels throughout the Gaza Strip’
Hamas claimed to have over 100 Israeli civilians and soldiers held hostage in the Gaza Strip, which was confirmed by Israel and the U.S. but not the exact number.
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The terrorist group said it is holding “far more than Netanyahu thinks.” Hamas further claimed that the 163 people in its hands were “dispersed in tunnels throughout the Gaza Strip.”
At the same time, a White House official described the situation as “entire families kidnapped, including children.” The Israeli security apparatus admitted that the situation was unprecedented, and even Hamas had been surprised by the ease with which it managed to kidnap such a large number of people.
Terrifying images relayed by Hamas, showing the kidnapping of young Israelis and elderly people from southern communities, caused shock and awe throughout the country. A search center was set up by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), while many families remained without news of their loved ones well into the night.
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While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised to wage a strong war of retaliation against Hamas, the presence of hostages in the Gaza Strip will undeniably complicate the army’s operations. So much so that Israel must necessarily expect a “long and difficult” operation, in the words of the premier.
The terrorist organization stated it intends to use the civilians as potential human shields to its advantage, stating that any Israeli incursion into Gaza would have “direct consequences on the hostages.”
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The presence of hostages can indeed serve as a potent bargaining tool in such situations. A notable historical example is the case of Gilad Shalit, an Israeli Defense Forces soldier who was kidnapped by Hamas. This single incident allowed Hamas to engage in negotiations with Israel, ultimately resulting in the release of over a thousand Palestinian detainees who had been held in Israeli prisons back in 2005. Such incidents highlight the significant leverage that hostages can provide in negotiations and underscore the complexities involved in resolving conflicts of this nature.