Hamas, Gaza and Israel: Ideologies, Strategies and Conflict
Abstract
The conflict involving Hamas, Gaza, and Israel remains one of the most entrenched and volatile in the modern Middle East. This study explores the ideological foundations, strategic approaches, and recurring conflict patterns that define the triangular relationship between these actors. Hamas, an Islamist political and militant organization established during the First Intifada in 1987, governs the Gaza Strip and seeks the establishment of an Islamic Palestinian state. Although it signaled political flexibility in its 2017 document by accepting a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, it continues to reject the legitimacy of Israel. The ideological rift between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority further fragments Palestinian representation. Hamas employs a dual strategy: armed resistance through its military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, and provision of social services to sustain grassroots support in Gaza. Israel’s response is rooted in deterrence, employing intelligence, targeted strikes, and large-scale operations. The cyclical nature of hostilities marked by escalations in 2008, 2012, 2014, 2021, and beyond has led to repeated civilian suffering, particularly in Gaza. Ceasefires, often brokered by regional or international mediators, tend to be short-lived and fail to address the root causes of the conflict, including territorial disputes, the Gaza blockade, and internal Palestinian divisions. The conflict's regional dimension, including Iranian support for Hamas and shifting Arab alliances, further complicates resolution. The study concludes that temporary ceasefires cannot replace a comprehensive political settlement. Sustainable peace demands inclusive diplomacy, ideological concessions, and consistent international engagement beyond crisis management.
Keywords: Hamas, Gaza Strip, Israel-Palestine Conflict, Political Ideology, Armed Resistance, Middle East Peace Process
