Israel Says It Killed Leader of Hamas' Military Wing The longstanding conflict between Israel and Hamas has its roots in the late 1980s, when Hamas emerged as an offshoot of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood.
Since then, the group has become a major player in Palestinian politics, with its military wing responsible for numerous attacks on Israeli targets.
Tensions have escalated in recent years, with Israel accusing Hamas of using Gaza as a launching pad for rocket and mortar attacks against its civilians.