Ideological Underpinnings of Hamas: The Role of Radical Islamism in Terrorism

Analysis

By Chayanika Mahanta

Until the dawn of the 21st century, democracies in the Western free world exhibited a marked reluctance to acknowledge the existence of Islamic terrorism. However, this dismissive viewpoint was fundamentally altered by the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. The extensive loss of life and destruction resulting from this catastrophic event compelled the international community to recognize the significant threat posed by radical Islamist organizations.

New Threat to the World

In the current perspective, despite extensive counter-terrorism practices, the threat of Islamic terrorism remains persistent and evolving. In August 2016, U.S. President Donald Trump highlighted this shift from previous threats, stating, "In the 20th Century, the United States defeated Fascism, Nazism, and Communism. Now we face a new threat to the world: Radical Islamic Terrorism". This remark marked an important threshold in recognizing the rise of a new form of global threat.

One of the modern players in Islamic terrorism is Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya, popularly known by its acronym Hamas, which is an organization founded on the principles of radical Islam. Founded in December 1987 during the First Palestinian Intifada, Hamas emerged from the Muslim Brotherhood's leadership in Gaza, from the house of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. Unlike leftist groups such as the PLO, Hamas is an Islamist militant movement that has controlled Gaza for nearly two decades. Its 1988 charter is characterized by anti-Semitic rhetoric and genocidal intentions, calling for the complete destruction of Israel and the establishment of a theocratic state governed by Islamic law (Sharia). This ideological stance sets Hamas apart in its approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Baggage of History

In 1922, Palestine was designated as a British mandate. During the 1920s, there was a substantial increase in Jewish immigration, driven by a severe rise in anti-Semitism across Europe. This influx of Jewish immigrants subsequently intensified Palestinian nationalism and anti-Zionist sentiments. Palestinian leaders expressed strong opposition to the United Nations' proposal to partition Palestine into separate Arab and Jewish states following the conclusion of World War II, asserting their inherent right to self-determination. As the British mandate came to an end in 1948, Israel declared its independence, sparking hostilities with neighbouring Arab nations and a string of further wars. Opposing the two-state solution, Hamas never supported Peace initiatives such as the Oslo Accords of 1993 and 1995, that was signed between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). They continued to carry out attacks on Israel and its population, including a horrific 1994 suicide bombing. Their popularity grew and by 2005, Hamas had become the governing authority of the Gaza Strip.

In the 2006 Palestinian Legislative Council elections, Hamas achieved a landslide victory. The triumph of an Islamist party with a radical outlook had far-reaching effects in the region. Hamas's participation in politics did not signal normalization; in fact, in 2007, Hamas forcibly took control of Gaza, resulting in a political split between Gaza and the West Bank. Since 2007, no elections have been held in Gaza, and Hamas's legitimacy has been continuously questioned by the international community.

One Point Agenda

Hamas has been designated as a banned terrorist organization by countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and many others. Its electoral victory in Gaza posed significant challenges to Western policy aimed at containing terrorism. Hamas does not recognize Israel as a sovereign state and aims to establish an independent Islamic state comprising Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel. To achieve this goal, Hamas supports terrorist acts against civilians and the Israeli military. In 1991, Hamas established its own paramilitary wing, the Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades, which employs violent tactics against Israel.

Hamas receives support from various Arab nations, including Qatar and Turkey, and has recently strengthened its ties with Iran. For decades, Hamas has called for the destruction of Israel. However, in 2017, Hamas released a revised charter that, for the first time, indicated a willingness to recognize a state of Palestine based on the 1967 borders. Despite this, ongoing confrontations between Israel and Palestine have resulted in numerous casualties.

Barbaric Act

When Hamas took control of Gaza, it had the opportunity to address the needs of the Palestinian people and work towards Gaza's development. Instead, Hamas focused on radicalizing society and building military infrastructure for attacks on Israel. On October 7, 2023, Israel experienced unexpected air, sea, and land attacks by Hamas, resulting in 224 hostages and hundreds of civilian casualties, targeting both military bases and residential areas. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted that these attacks "bring to mind the worst of ISIS". In response, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu declared that "Israel will stand against the forces of barbarism until victory". On October 27, 2024, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution urging a humanitarian ceasefire and the protection of civilians, with 120 members voting in favor, 14 against, and 45 abstaining. India abstained from the resolution as it did not explicitly denounce terrorism.

As of today, the violent operations in Gaza against Hamas and its ideology, which is deeply rooted in animosity towards the Jewish state of Israel, are far from over. The conflict stems from profound ideological differences: Hamas is intent on eradicating the Jewish state, while Israel is equally resolute in protecting its citizens. The attempt to weaken Hamas's capabilities is driven by Israel's national security strategy, as demonstrated by the recent assassination of top Hamas leaders, including Ismail Haniyeh, the chairman of its Political Bureau. However, the existence of Hamas is inextricably linked to its ideology of extreme hatred towards Jews and its vow to destroy Israel, which continues to incite and inspire violent attacks. This extreme ideology complicates and stretches the conflict based on religion and diminishes any hope for a lasting peaceful resolution.

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Disclaimer: This paper is the author's individual scholastic contribution and does not necessarily reflect the organization's viewpoint.

Chayanika Mahanta is a keen observer of international politics and an MPhil in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi.  Co-founder of Inspire Study Circle,  a civil service coaching startup, dedicated to empowering aspiring civil servants in Assam.