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Hamas is a Palestinian militant group in control of the Gaza Strip, a part of the Palestinian Territories. It is considered a terrorist organization by the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, and the European Union. Hamas is committed to the destruction of Israel and has launched numerous rocket attacks from Gaza into Israeli cities. In response, Israel has conducted airstrikes and other attacks targeting Hamas installations in the Gaza Strip.
Israel has defended its actions against Hamas as part of an effort to protect its citizens from rocket attacks and stop weapons being trafficked into Gaza. Hamas, for its part, has defended its rocket attacks as a response to what it sees as Israel’s oppressive occupation of Palestinian territories.
The two sides have had a number of ceasefires since the latest flare-up of fighting began in May 2021. However, tension remain high and many fear that a return to full-scale conflict could occur at any moment.
