What Nationality Is Hamas
Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni Islamist organization that operates primarily in the Palestinian territories. It does not represent a single recognized nation-state but identifies with the Palestinian national movement.
Origins and Background
Hamas emerged in the late 1980s during the First Intifada as an offshoot of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood. It was founded in the Gaza Strip and later expanded its political and military activities across Palestinian territories.
Political and International Status
Hamas governs the Gaza Strip and is viewed by many countries as a Palestinian resistance movement. Some governments classify it as a terrorist organization, while others consider it a legitimate political and social actor.
For more background on Hamas, see the Hamas overview on Britannica.
