1. Islamic Resistance Movement

2.  “Devotion and zeal in the path of Allah”  Founded in 1988  Mahmoud Al-Zahar  Sheikh Ahmed Yassin

3.  Creation of an Islamic state in Palestine  Replace Israel and Palestinian Territories  Obliteration or nullification of Israel  Renouncing any part of Palestine means renouncing part of the religion  Tolerance of other religions  Only if other religions don’t stand in the way of stated objectives of Hamas

5.  Muslim Brotherhood in Palestine  Members are Muslims who “fear Allah and raise the banner of Jihad in the face of the oppressors”  Resisting and stopping the enemy is duty of every Muslim  Zionists are behind events and disasters as far back as French Revolution

6.  Arab Israeli Conflict is irreconcilable struggle  Jews vs. Muslims  Judaism vs. Islam  Not a territorial conflict  Conflict between believers and infidels  Jihad is only solution until victory or martyrdom

7.  Military wing of Hamas  Founded in 1992 by Yahya Ayyash  Primary objective  Build coherent military organization to support goals of Hamas  Terrorist organization for many countries:  EU, US, Australia

8.  Independent cells  Cells often unaware of work of other cells  Identities remain secret until death  Current leader is Mohammed Deif

9.  Suicide Bombings and Rocket Attacks  786 casualties from 1993 – 2008  171 attacks

10.  January 26, 2004  Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi offers 10 year truce to Israel  Complete withdrawal of Israel from territories captured during 6-Day War  Establishment of Palestinian state within Israel  Truce would last ten years, but no longer  Israel refuses to accept because they cannot trust Hamas

11.  Spiritual leader of Hamas  Assassinated March 22, 2004  Missile fired by Israeli gunship following morning prayer

12.  Israel accuses Hamas of using children as human shields  Arab news video of military training of children under the age of 15  Spotters  Transport explosives and weapons  Deter Israeli attacks  Unknowingly used as bombers  Children’s magazine Al-Fateh  Al-Aqsa TV