Hamas Rise to Power: Short History of Hamas in Gaza

In 2005, Israel withdrew from Gaza, uprooting all communities and military installations within Gaza. This allowed the PA (Palestinian Authority) full control of the area and the Rafah land crossing to Egypt.

In January 2006, Hamas won the Palestinian Parliamentary election (although it did not win the presidential election in 2005).

Following the election, the International Quartet (United States, Russia, the United Nations, and the European Union) declared that in order for the then Hamas-run Palestinian government to continue to receive foreign aid, it must recognize the State of Israel, end terrorist activities, and adhere to all previous agreements. Hamas rejected these terms, and international aid was halted.

Over the years, Hamas has challenged the PLO and the Palestinian Authority, causing conflicts between the sides, culminating in June 2007 with Hamas’s violent takeover of the Gaza Strip and the suppression of Fatah and the Palestinian Authority members. Ever since, the rift between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority has grown.

The Hamas terrorist organization and their leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007. It has both a political and a military organization. Hamas refuses to recognize the State of Israel and vows to fight until Israel is destroyed. The Hamas charter calls for the death of all Jews. The US, EU, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, and Israel all recognize Hamas as a terrorist organization.

In June 2007, Hamas violently took power over the Gaza Strip. Within a few days, Hamas executed dozens of its opponents and went as far as pushing them out of building windows.

Hamas’s fight against its enemy, Fatah, has cost the lives of 600 Palestinians, killed 188 people in one week in June 2007. Numerous Palestinians threatened with death, took refuge in Israel.

Hamas puts its political interests above those of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip, of which they are responsible. Hamas’ actions deprive Gazans of their rights and basic needs.

Since then, the Hamas controls the Gaza Strip and imposes its totalitarian ideology. Hamas controls what Gazan civilians say, what their children learn, and spreads propaganda and hatred through TV, especially on children’s programs.