Fact Check: Are hamas terrorists

Fact Check: Are Hamas Terrorists?

What We Know

Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, has been designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the U.S. State Department since October 1997. This designation is based on Hamas's engagement in terrorist activities, including attacks against civilians, which are aimed at achieving its political objectives, such as the establishment of a Palestinian state and armed resistance against Israel (National Counterterrorism Center, Foreign Terrorist Organizations). The group's military wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigade, has conducted numerous attacks, including a recent surprise assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,200 people (National Counterterrorism Center).

Hamas emerged during the first Palestinian intifada in 1987 and has since become the de facto governing authority in the Gaza Strip. Despite amending its charter in 2017 to soften its stance on Israel, Hamas does not recognize Israel as a state and continues to advocate for armed resistance (National Counterterrorism Center). The U.S. State Department's designation of Hamas as an FTO is part of a broader strategy to combat terrorism and limit support for such organizations (Foreign Terrorist Organizations).

Analysis

The classification of Hamas as a terrorist organization is supported by various credible sources, including the U.S. State Department and the National Counterterrorism Center. The designation as an FTO is based on legal criteria that require organizations to engage in terrorist activities that threaten U.S. national security (Foreign Terrorist Organizations).

Hamas's actions, including the use of improvised explosive devices, rockets, and other military tactics against civilian targets, align with the definitions of terrorism as outlined in U.S. law. The group's operational history includes numerous attacks that have resulted in civilian casualties, which further substantiates its designation as a terrorist organization (National Counterterrorism Center, HAMAS | New Jersey OHSP).

Critics of the designation may argue that Hamas also plays a role in governance and social services in the Palestinian territories. However, this duality does not negate the group's engagement in violent acts that meet the legal definitions of terrorism. Furthermore, the designation is not solely based on current actions but also on the group's intent and capability to carry out future acts of terrorism (Foreign Terrorist Organizations).

Conclusion

The claim that Hamas is a terrorist organization is True. The evidence from multiple authoritative sources confirms that Hamas has been designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. State Department due to its history of engaging in terrorist activities, including attacks on civilians. This designation is supported by legal criteria and reflects the group's ongoing commitment to armed resistance against Israel, which includes tactics that align with definitions of terrorism.