Fact Check: "Hamas is a terrorist organisation"
What We Know
Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, has been designated as a terrorist organization by several countries and international entities, including the United States. The U.S. State Department officially classified Hamas as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) in October 1997, citing its engagement in terrorist activities, including attacks on Israeli civilians and military forces (Foreign Terrorist Organizations, National Counterterrorism Center | Terrorist Groups). The group's military wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigade, has conducted numerous attacks, including a significant assault on October 7, 2023, that resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,200 people (National Counterterrorism Center | Terrorist Groups).
Hamas emerged during the first Palestinian intifada in 1987 and has since become the de facto governing authority in the Gaza Strip. While it has made some attempts to moderate its stance, such as amending its charter in 2017 to remove explicit calls for the destruction of Israel, it still does not recognize Israel as a state and continues to advocate for armed resistance (National Counterterrorism Center | Terrorist Groups).
Analysis
The designation of Hamas as a terrorist organization is supported by a substantial body of evidence regarding its activities and intentions. The U.S. State Department's criteria for FTO designation include the organization's engagement in terrorist activity that threatens U.S. national security, which Hamas clearly meets through its history of violent attacks and its ongoing military operations against Israel (Foreign Terrorist Organizations).
Moreover, the National Counterterrorism Center outlines Hamas's tactics, which include the use of improvised explosive devices, rockets, and cyber operations, all of which are characteristic of terrorist organizations (National Counterterrorism Center | Terrorist Groups). The group's reliance on violence to achieve political ends further solidifies its classification as a terrorist organization.
Critics of the designation often argue that Hamas is primarily a political entity and that its social services in Palestinian territories should be considered. However, the overwhelming evidence of its military operations and the explicit goals of its military wing overshadow these arguments. Additionally, the designation is not solely based on the group's political activities but rather on its engagement in violence and terror against civilians, which is a key criterion for such classifications (Senator Collins, Bipartisan Group Urge UN to Designate ...).
Conclusion
The claim that "Hamas is a terrorist organization" is True. The designation by the U.S. State Department and corroborating evidence of Hamas's violent actions against civilians and military targets align with the legal definitions of terrorism. The group's ongoing military engagements and refusal to recognize Israel as a state further support this classification.
Sources
- Foreign Terrorist Organizations
- National Counterterrorism Center | Terrorist Groups
- Senator Collins, Bipartisan Group Urge UN to Designate ...
- terrorist group Hamas
- HAMAS | New Jersey OHSP
- Listed terrorist organisations
- Counter Terrorism Sanctions | Office of Foreign Assets Control
- List of designated terrorist groups - Wikipedia
