The True History of How Hamas Was Created

The origins of Hamas are often misunderstood, with claims suggesting it was created by Israel. In reality, during Israel's occupation of Gaza, the Mujamma al-Islammiyah, a precursor to Hamas, was focused on social and religious initiatives. However, the rise of armed resistance, particularly during the first Intifada in 1987, shifted the group's focus towards militant action. Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, previously leading social initiatives, embraced armed resistance, marking the emergence of Hamas as a significant political and military force in the Palestinian struggle. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) also played a crucial role in this transformation, advocating for immediate armed resistance against Israeli occupation. The ideological divide between PIJ and the Mujamma led to clashes, as PIJ's militant approach contrasted with the Mujamma's focus on social organization. The environment of despair and repression in Gaza allowed Hamas to gain traction as a leading force in Islamic resistance movements, filling the void left by the PLO's defeat in Lebanon. Israel's initial support for certain Palestinian factions did not foresee the rise of these Islamist movements, which later became influential in the resistance against occupation. The Israeli invasion of Lebanon inadvertently created opportunities for groups like Hezbollah and Hamas to emerge, challenging the narrative that Israel's actions would lead to the disintegration of resistance. Ultimately, the emergence of Hamas and similar groups illustrates how Israeli policies and actions have shaped the landscape of Palestinian resistance, highlighting a continuity in the struggle against occupation and the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.