KEY POINTS:

Overview: Hamas is a Palestinian political and militant group founded in 1987. It is designated as a terrorist organisation by several countries, including the United States, the European Union, and Australia. Hamas has been involved in rocket attacks, suicide bombings, and other forms of violence aimed at Israeli targets.

  1. Historical Context: The state of Israel was established in 1948, leading to tension and conflicts with neighbouring Arab countries and Palestinian groups.
  2. Hamas Formation: Hamas, a Palestinian group, was founded in 1987 with an initial charter aimed at the liberation of Palestine and the establishment of an Islamic state in place of Israel.
  3. Terrorist Designation: The USA, Israel, and several other countries classify Hamas as a terrorist organisation, citing attacks against civilian targets and the use of suicide bombers.
  4. Gaza Control: Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip in 2007 after a conflict with the Fatah faction. Since then, Gaza has been under de facto Hamas rule.
  5. Rocket Attacks: Hamas has frequently launched rocket attacks into Israeli territory, which Israel cites as a significant security concern.
  6. Defensive Operations: Israel has conducted multiple military operations in Gaza, aimed at halting rocket fire, destroying tunnel networks, and targeting Hamas leadership.
  7. Iron Dome: The USA has supported Israel's development and deployment of the Iron Dome missile defence system, which intercepts incoming rockets from Gaza.
  8. Civilian Impact: The dense urban environment of Gaza means that Israeli strikes can result in civilian casualties, though Israel asserts it takes measures to minimise them.
  9. Peace Efforts: There have been multiple attempts, with U.S. involvement, to broker peace agreements or ceasefires between Israel and Hamas, but lasting peace remains elusive.
  10. Strategic Partnership: The USA and Israel share a close strategic partnership, based on shared democratic values, mutual security concerns, and economic ties.

NOTE THIS FROM 2022: 17 FEB 2022 ABC AUSTRALIA--Hamas to be listed in entirety as a terrorist organisation by Australian government - ABC News   ..........The military wing of Hamas was already listed by Australia, but the federal government will now join the United Kingdom, the United States, Israel and others in extending the designation to the fundamentalist Islamic group's political branch.

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Strategic Influence

Pause for thought - Israel’s calculations before going into Gaza

Israel prepares for a Gaza incursion, mobilizing 300,000 IDF reservists amid rising tensions, U.S. intervention, Iranian warnings, significant civilian casualties, and recent intelligence failures.
7 minutes
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Strategic Influence

Israel’s Special Forces Might Be the Best On Earth. Here’s Why

Israel is surrounded by hostile adversaries. This has led the Jewish state to adopt a unique special forces hierarchy, with a must-win attitude.
6 minutes
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Strategic Influence

US sending second carrier strike group, fighter jets to region as Israel prepares to expand Gaza operations

The warships are not intended to join the fighting, but are instead designed to send a message of deterrence to Iran and its proxies.
4 minutes
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Strategic Influence

President Biden wraps up his visit to wartime Israel with a warning against being ‘consumed’ by rage

Biden visited Israel for 7.5 hours to show U.S. support following a recent Hamas attack, also brokering a limited humanitarian aid deal for Gaza.
5 minutes
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Strategic Influence

Hamas group explained: Here’s what to know about the group behind the deadly attack in Israel

Hamas is a designated terrorist organisation and is one of the two major political organizations in the Palestinian territories.
8 minutes
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Strategic Influence

Israel Gives Putin a Sharp Lesson in Military Mobilization

Israel claims it successfully mobilized 300,000 army reservists in just 48 hours—a feat that took Russia more than a month for its invasion of Ukraine.
4 minutes
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Strategic Influence

Israel-Hamas war risks further deglobalization and inflation

The war could result in reduced trade cooperation, information sharing, technology exchange, and financial market linkages. However, deglobalisation may reduce foreign reliance and strengthen geopolitical relations.
10 minutes
3391
Strategic Influence

CNN Poll: Americans are deeply sympathetic toward Israelis and see their military response to Hamas attacks as justified

A majority of Americans are sympathetic to Israeli and Palestinian people. Around 71% feel a lot of sympathy for Israelis. 41% feel a lot of sympathy for Palestinians.
8 minutes
3390
Strategic Influence

Support for Israel has been decisive and real — a stark contrast to the West's grudging aid for Ukraine

While Israel received swift and significant aid, Ukraine continues to battle for international funding.
8 minutes
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Strategic Influence

Hamas group explained: Here’s what to know about the group behind the deadly attack in Israel

Hamas is a designated terrorist organisation and is one of the two major political organizations in the Palestinian territories.
8 minutes
3387
Strategic Influence

Israel Gives Putin a Sharp Lesson in Military Mobilization

Israel claims it successfully mobilized 300,000 army reservists in just 48 hours—a feat that took Russia more than a month for its invasion of Ukraine.
4 minutes
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Strategic Influence

Hamas’s surprise attack has echoes of Israeli intelligence failure in 1973

The recent Hamas attack in southern Israel demands a quick, targeted Israeli response and raises questions about intelligence shortcomings.
5 minutes
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Strategic Influence

The spiral of violence that led to Hamas

The article by Peter Singer examines Hamas's violence in Israel while also tracing the complex factors that led to its rise.
4 minutes
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Strategic Influence

The world's never seen a mass kidnapping quite like this. Here's how the Israel-Gaza hostage crisis could play out

Unprecedented scale of mass kidnapping has global implications, with hostages suspected to come from multiple countries.
4 minutes
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Israel on war footing, Hamas threatens to kill captives

Israel mobilises 300,000 reservists and blockades Gaza following a major attack by Hamas.
6 minutes
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Strategic Influence

Israel’s Failure to Stop the Hamas Attack Shows the Danger of Too Much Surveillance

Israel's surveillance missed a major Hamas attack, showing intelligence system limits in the Gaza Strip—surveillance doesn't ensure security.
7 minutes
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Strategic Influence

Why did Hamas attack, and why now? What does it hope to gain?

Hamas attacked Israel over provocations, regional peace deals, internal rivalries, symbolic anniversaries, and to gain wider Muslim support.
9 minutes
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Strategic Influence

Israel at War: Over 700 Israelis murdered in Hamas massacre

Hamas massacre kills over 700 Israelis; US pledges support, Israel retaliates with Gaza air strikes, and international condemnation of Hamas intensifies.
5 minutes
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Strategic Influence

How Hamas staged lightning assault no one thought possible

Hamas launched a surprise, large-scale attack on Israel, breaching barriers and abducting Israelis, stunning the nation with the assault's speed and intensity.
7 minutes
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Strategic Influence

Israel live updates: US sending carrier strike group, munitions to region

After Hamas attacked Israeli towns, the US has sent a carrier group to the area; many casualties reported.
5 minutes
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Strategic Influence

At least 260 bodies recovered from music festival attacked by Hamas as Israel officially declares war and approves 'significant' steps to retaliate

Israel declares war following a Hamas attack, with escalating Israel-Palestine conflict and rising regional tensions involving Hezbollah.
7 minutes
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Strategic Influence

US to send military ships, aircraft closer to Israel

U.S. boosts military support to Israel in response to significant Hamas attacks amid rising tensions.
5 minutes
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Strategic Influence

What is Hamas, how does it control the Gaza Strip and why has Israel declared war?

Hamas, an Islamist group opposed to Israel's Gaza control and designated as terrorist by Australia, ignited recent tensions with an attack in a densely populated Gaza Strip.
5 minutes
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Air & Space Power

IDF: Over 50 fighter jets operated in Gaza, 800 targets hit

READ: IDF: Over 50 fighter Israeli jets operated in Gaza, 800 targets hit
5 minutes
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Technology & Innovation

How Israel's Iron Dome intercepts rockets

Israel Defense Forces claim Hamas and other Palestinian groups have fired more than 4,500 rockets toward Israel since the October 7 attack.
5 minutes
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Image of a sunset over the ocean
Strategic Influence

How women in Israel and Palestine are pushing for peace — together

Palestinian and Israeli feminist peace coalition call upon political leaders to negotiate peace.
5 minutes