Hamas: A Beginner's Guide

'Clear and concise' CHOICE 'A serious and successful book' Illan Pappé 'Could not be timelier. Drawing on his deep understanding of politics and religion in Palestine, Hroub expertly answers every important question' James Piscatori, Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Hamas (the Islamic Resistance Movement) was created in 1987, won the elections of the Palestinian Legislative Council in 2006, and governed the Gaza Strip since 2007. The attacks on October 7th 2023 and the subsequent war on Gaza have turned the international spotlight on them as well as on Palestine. What then are Hamas's history, beliefs and political agenda? This is an indispensable introduction to the controversial political, social, religious and military organization. Looking beyond the caricatures of Hamas's leaders and cadre, Palestinian writer Khaled Hroub reveals a group largely guided by pragmatic aims. Asking the reader to re-think what they know, he provides the key facts missing from news reports, and an inci