How did Hamas come to power in Gaza? Who funds them?
Hamas launched a shock attack on Israel on Saturday (October 7), firing thousands of rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel. Following this, dozens of fighters of the Palestinian Islamist group infiltrated the border in several locations by air, land, and sea.
The unprecedented attack caught Israel completely off guard, and Israeli TV channels reported that the death toll from the Hamas attack had climbed to 900 Israelis, with at least 2,600 injured, and dozens taken captive.
Gaza's Health Ministry has said at least 687 Palestinians have been killed and 3,726 wounded in Israeli airstrikes on the blockaded enclave since Saturday, as reported by Reuters.
Following Israel's massive retaliation to the attack on its soil, Hamas is now threatening to execute an Israeli captive every time Israel bombs a Palestinian home without warning.
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As Hamas's attack on Israel is being seen as a huge failure of the country's intelligence services, we take a look at how Hamas came to power in Gaza and where the group gets its funding from.
How Hamas came to power in Gaza
Hamas, or the Islamic Resistance Movement, was founded in 1987 during the First Intifada (Palestinian uprising) against Israeli occupation. Initially, it started as a social and political organization with a strong Islamist ideology.
The group came to power in Gaza through a combination of political, social, and military factors. Here are the key details:
Social services and charitable work: Hamas gained popularity among Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank by providing essential social services such as schools, clinics, and welfare programs.
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This grassroots approach helped build a strong support base and credibility among the Palestinian population.
Armed resistance: Alongside its social and political activities, Hamas engaged in armed resistance against Israeli forces and settlements.
It carried out numerous attacks, including suicide bombings, targeting Israeli civilians and military personnel as part of its strategy to resist Israeli occupation and gain Palestinian support.
Palestinian elections: In 2006, the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) elections were held in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Hamas decided to participate in these elections and, to the surprise of many, won a majority of the seats in the PLC, defeating the long-dominant Fatah party led by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. This electoral victory gave Hamas a significant political foothold in the Palestinian territories.
Political tensions and division: The election results led to political tensions between Hamas and Fatah, culminating in a violent power struggle in Gaza in 2007.
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Hamas eventually seized control of the Gaza Strip, while Fatah retained control of the West Bank. This division between the two Palestinian territories remains in place to this day.
Where Hamas gets its funding
The US State Department, in 2021, stated that Hamas gets money, guns, and training from Iran. They also mentioned that some money comes from Gulf Arab nations.
Additionally, Hamas receives donations from Palestinians, people living abroad, and its own charity groups.
Iran: Iran has been a prominent supporter of Hamas, providing both financial aid and military assistance.
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Iran sees Hamas as a useful proxy in its regional rivalry with Israel and has supplied weapons, training, and financial support to the organisation.
Qatar: Qatar has also been a significant financial supporter of Hamas, providing funds for infrastructure projects, humanitarian assistance, and other needs in the Gaza Strip.
Qatar has played a role in mediating between Hamas and Israel as well.
Donations and charities: Hamas has historically received funds from sympathetic donors and charities in various countries, including Palestinian diaspora communities, Gulf states, and other Arab nations.
These funds often go toward social services and infrastructure development in Gaza.
Taxation and revenue collection: In Gaza, Hamas collects taxes and fees from businesses and individuals. It also profits from smuggling operations, which include the movement of goods and people through tunnels under the Egypt-Gaza border.
Money laundering and extortion: There have been allegations that Hamas engages in money laundering and extortion activities, such as taxing local businesses and demanding protection money from various sources.
Other non-governmental sources: Some reports suggest that Hamas receives financial support from sympathetic individuals and entities in various countries, both within and outside the Arab world.