Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 27, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Civic Brief • Militant Group

Hamas

Hamas is a Palestinian Islamist political and militant organization that has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007.

Updated July 27, 20261 min readCited sources

Hamas is a Palestinian Islamist organization that has governed Gaza since 2007. It is designated as a terrorist group by Canada and several other countries.

What it is

Hamas is a Palestinian Islamist political and militant organization founded in 1987 as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood. It combines political activity, social services, and armed resistance against Israel. Its founding charter called for replacing Israel with an Islamic state, though it says it now seeks a Palestinian state.

Key details

Hamas won the 2006 Palestinian legislative election and took de facto control of Gaza in 2007 after conflict with Fatah. It launched a major attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, triggering the ongoing war in Gaza.

Why it matters

Canada lists Hamas as a terrorist organization. Canadian readers encounter the group mainly in coverage of the Israel–Hamas conflict, Middle East diplomacy, and security policy. The group's political and military wings are discussed together, though they are organizationally distinct.

In short

  • Founded in 1987 as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood.
  • Won 2006 election and took control of Gaza in 2007.
  • Launched deadly attack on Israel on 7 October 2023.
  • Designated as a terrorist organization by Canada and others.
Canadian angle

Canada lists Hamas as a terrorist organization, and Canadian readers encounter it mainly in coverage of the Israel–Hamas conflict, Middle East diplomacy, and security policy.

Quick questions

What is Hamas?
Hamas is a Palestinian Islamist political and militant organization that has governed Gaza since 2007 and is considered a terrorist group by Canada and several other countries.
Is Hamas considered a terrorist group?
Yes. Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Israel, and others designate Hamas as a terrorist organization.
What is the goal of Hamas?
Hamas says it seeks to resist Israel and establish a Palestinian state, while its earlier charter called for replacing Israel with an Islamic state.

Sources

  1. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyv7w3gdy2o
    Supports: Founded in 1987; Gaza governance since 2007; 7 October 2023 attack; designation as terrorist organization; al-Aqsa reference
  2. Al Jazeera — https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/8/what-is-the-group-hamas-a-simple-guide-tothe-palestinian-group
    Supports: Meaning of Hamas; Gaza governance; relation to Fatah; stance on Israel; designation by multiple states including Canada
  3. Council on Foreign Relations — https://www.cfr.org/backgrounders/what-hamas
    Supports: Origins in Muslim Brotherhood; control of Gaza; rivalry with Fatah; ideological goals
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hamas
    Supports: Founded in 1987; ideology; use of violence; goals
  5. U.S. National Counterterrorism Center — https://www.dni.gov/nctc/groups/hamas.html
    Supports: Late-1987 formation; Muslim Brotherhood roots; charter goals; U.S. designation
  6. Anti-Defamation League — https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/hamas
    Supports: Designation by Canada and other states; goals; Gaza takeover; organizational description