Inside the Gaza war, Hamas’s goals, leadership, and the devastating conflict with Israel
The war in Gaza has dominated global headlines since 7 October 2023, when Hamas, an armed Palestinian group and political movement, launched the deadliest attack in Israel’s history. Militants killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, triggering a massive Israeli military offensive that has since killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and displaced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.
What Is Hamas?
Hamas – short for “Islamic Resistance Movement” – emerged in 1987 as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood. It rejects the existence of Israel, claiming the land as historic Palestine, and seeks to establish an Islamic state across Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.
Although Hamas has at times signaled willingness to accept a Palestinian state limited to those territories, it has never renounced its broader claims. Before the current war, Hamas was estimated to have about 30,000 fighters, though Israel claims it has killed more than half of them.
Hamas seized full control of the Gaza Strip in 2007 after ousting its Palestinian rivals and has ruled the territory ever since. Its governance and military capabilities have been severely weakened during the war, though Israel says Hamas still commands fighters in Gaza City.
Who Leads Hamas?
At the time of the 2023 attack, Hamas’s political chief was Ismail Haniyeh, based in Qatar. He was assassinated in Tehran in 2024, and replaced by Yahya Sinwar, the Gaza leader and architect of the October 7 attacks. Sinwar was killed later that year in an Israeli operation.
Hamas is now led by a five-man council believed to be headed by Khalil al-Hayya, based in Qatar. The group also includes veteran figures Khaled Meshaal, Zaher Jabarin, and Muhammad Darwish. Hamas’s strongest foreign ally remains Iran, which provides funds, weapons, and political backing.
Why Did Hamas Attack Israel?
Hamas said its October 7 assault was a response to decades of Israeli occupation, killings of Palestinians, and the blockade of Gaza. It also cited alleged Israeli attempts to control the al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem, Islam’s third holiest site, and demanded the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
The group has argued that the attack forced the Palestinian cause back onto the world’s political agenda. Analysts also believe Hamas sought to derail U.S.-brokered talks that could have led to Saudi Arabia recognizing Israel.
Israel’s Response and the War in Gaza
In response, Israel launched a massive military offensive, combining air strikes, artillery, and a ground invasion. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Israel’s goals were to destroy Hamas, return the hostages, and prevent future threats.
As of September 2025, Gaza’s health ministry reports over 65,000 Palestinians killed, mostly civilians, while Israel says it has lost 460 soldiers. The UN warns of famine, overcrowded camps, and near-total destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure.
Both Israel and Hamas face accusations of war crimes. A UN commission has accused Israel of genocide, a claim Israel rejects. At the same time, the UN Human Rights Council says both sides have deliberately targeted civilians.
Gaza: A Territory Under Siege
The Gaza Strip is a 41km-long, densely populated enclave bordered by Israel, Egypt, and the Mediterranean. Israel withdrew settlers in 2005 but still controls Gaza’s borders, airspace, and coastline. Even before the war, Gaza faced severe poverty, unemployment, and reliance on aid. Today, most of its population has been displaced, with families struggling to survive amid bombardment and blockade.