
The history of Palestine is complex and has been marked by various historical, political, and cultural developments. The region known as Palestine is located in the Eastern Mediterranean and has been a crossroads for various civilizations throughout history. Here is a brief overview of key historical periods in the history of Palestine
Ancient Periods:
- Bronze Age: The Canaanites inhabited the region around 3000 BCE, and cities like Jericho and Megiddo became significant.
- Iron Age: The Israelites emerged as a distinct group, and the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah were established.
Classical Periods:
- Persian Empire: The Persians conquered the region in the 6th century BCE.
- Hellenistic Period: Alexander the Great’s conquest in the 4th century BCE brought Hellenistic influence to the area.
Roman and Byzantine Periods:
- Roman Rule: Palestine came under Roman rule in the 1st century BCE. The city of Jerusalem was a focal point, and in 70 CE, the Romans destroyed the Second Temple.
- Byzantine Rule: After the Roman Empire split, the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) ruled the region.
Islamic Period:
- 7th Century: In 636 CE, Arab Muslims conquered Palestine. Jerusalem became a significant city in Islam, and the Dome of the Rock was built on the Temple Mount.
- Crusader Period: The region experienced periods of Crusader rule and Muslim reconquests between the 11th and 13th centuries.
Ottoman Empire:
- 16th to 20th Centuries: The Ottomans ruled Palestine for centuries until their empire collapsed after World War I.
British Mandate:
- Post-World War I: After the defeat of the Ottoman Empire, the League of Nations granted Britain the mandate to govern Palestine. During this time, tensions between Jewish and Arab communities increased.
1948 Arab-Israeli War:
- Declaration of the State of Israel: On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion declared the establishment of the State of Israel. This led to the Arab-Israeli War, resulting in territorial changes and the displacement of Palestinian Arabs.
Post-1948:
- Six-Day War (1967): Israel gained control of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights.
- Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Ongoing conflicts and peace efforts have characterized the relationship between Israel and the Palestinians, with issues like refugee rights, borders, and the status of Jerusalem at the center of disputes.
The history of Palestine is deeply intertwined with the broader history of the Middle East and has been marked by various conflicts and geopolitical changes over the centuries. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains a major geopolitical issue in the region and on the international stage.
What is Hamas?
Hamas is a Palestinian Islamist militant group that was founded in 1987 during the First Intifada (uprising) against Israeli occupation. The name “Hamas” is an acronym for “Ḥarakat al-Muqāwamah al-Islāmiyyah,” which means “Islamic Resistance Movement” in Arabic.
History and Background:
- Founding and Ideology: Hamas was founded by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi, and others as an offshoot of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood. The group’s ideology is rooted in Sunni Islamism and Palestinian nationalism. Hamas seeks to establish an Islamic state in the territory of historic Palestine and opposes the existence of Israel.
- Charter: In 1988, Hamas published its original charter, which called for the destruction of Israel and the establishment of an Islamic state in Palestine. The charter also included anti-Semitic language. However, in 2017, Hamas issued a new political document that softened its language, accepting the idea of a Palestinian state along the 1967 borders but still not recognizing Israel.
- Activities and Role: Hamas is both a political and military organization. It operates a social services network in Gaza and the West Bank, which has helped it gain significant popular support among Palestinians. Militarily, Hamas has carried out numerous attacks against Israel, including suicide bombings, rocket attacks, and other forms of violence.
- Gaza Strip Control: In 2006, Hamas won a majority in the Palestinian legislative elections, leading to tensions with the rival Fatah party. This culminated in Hamas seizing control of the Gaza Strip in 2007 after violent clashes with Fatah forces. Since then, Hamas has governed Gaza, while the Palestinian Authority, dominated by Fatah, controls parts of the West Bank.
- Conflicts with Israel: Hamas has been involved in several conflicts with Israel, including major wars in 2008-2009, 2012, 2014, and 2021. The group frequently launches rocket attacks into Israel, and Israel responds with military strikes against Hamas targets in Gaza.
- Designation as a Terrorist Organization: Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States, the European Union, Israel, and others, due to its attacks against civilians and its stated goal of destroying Israel.
Current Status:
Hamas remains a significant force in Palestinian politics and a major player in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Its control over Gaza, combined with its ongoing military activities, continues to be a central issue in the region. The group’s refusal to recognize Israel and its reliance on violence have made it a major obstacle to peace efforts.
Hamas has political ties with several nations, particularly those that share its opposition to Israel or have strategic interests in the region.
Key Political Ties:
- Iran: Iran is one of the most significant supporters of Hamas, providing financial aid, weapons, and training. Despite religious differences (Iran is a Shiite-majority country, while Hamas is a Sunni organization), their shared opposition to Israel has made them allies.
- Qatar: Qatar has been a major political and financial supporter of Hamas, providing substantial aid to the Gaza Strip. Qatar’s support is often seen as a way for it to exert influence in the region and counterbalance other powers like Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
- Turkey: Turkey has maintained a supportive stance toward Hamas, providing political backing and allowing Hamas officials to operate within its borders. Turkey’s ruling party, the Justice and Development Party (AKP), shares ideological similarities with Hamas.
- Syria: Hamas once had strong ties with Syria, where its leadership was based. However, during the Syrian Civil War, Hamas distanced itself from the Assad regime due to its crackdown on Sunni opposition groups. This led to a cooling of relations, though recent reports suggest efforts to rebuild these ties.
- Lebanon (Hezbollah): Hamas has also maintained ties with Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shiite militant group. Both organizations share common goals in their opposition to Israel, and they have coordinated efforts in the past, despite their sectarian differences.
International Relations:
Hamas’s international ties are often shaped by shared interests in opposition to Israel and the broader geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. These relationships help Hamas sustain its operations but also contribute to its designation as a terrorist organization by many Western nations.
Hamas operates with an annual budget, although the exact figures are difficult to pinpoint due to the secretive nature of its financial operations. Estimates suggest that Hamas’s budget is in the hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
Sources of Funding:
- Foreign Aid: A significant portion of Hamas’s budget comes from foreign aid provided by countries like Iran and Qatar. Iran’s support includes financial assistance, while Qatar has provided substantial humanitarian aid to Gaza, which indirectly supports Hamas’s governance.
- Taxation and Fees: Within Gaza, Hamas collects taxes and fees on various goods and services, including fuel, imports, and even salaries of government employees. This internal revenue is a major source of funding for the group’s activities.
- Charitable Organizations: Hamas has historically received funds through a network of charitable organizations and foundations, particularly those sympathetic to its cause. These funds often come from the Palestinian diaspora and other supporters around the world.
- Business Ventures: Hamas is involved in various business activities, both legal and illegal, including tunnel smuggling operations, investments in local businesses, and possibly some involvement in illicit activities like money laundering.
Budget Allocation:
- Military Operations: A significant portion of Hamas’s budget is allocated to its military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, which includes funding for weapons, training, and infrastructure.
- Social Services: Hamas also spends money on social services in Gaza, including education, healthcare, and welfare programs. These services help maintain popular support for the organization among the Palestinian population.
- Governmental Operations: As the de facto government of Gaza, Hamas also allocates funds to run various governmental departments and public services.
The exact breakdown and total budget are not publicly disclosed, but Hamas’s ability to sustain its operations and governance in Gaza indicates a substantial and complex financial network.