My knowledge cut-off date is January 2022.

 Reminder: My knowledge cut-off date is January 2022.

Hamas is an Islamist Palestinian militant organization that operates primarily in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Established in 1987 during the First Intifada, Hamas aims to establish an Islamic state in historic Palestine and opposes the existence of Israel. It has a social service wing that provides education, healthcare, and other assistance to Palestinians, alongside its militant activities. The group has been designated as a terrorist organization by several countries and organizations, including the United States, the European Union, Israel, and others, due to its history of carrying out attacks targeting Israeli civilians and its refusal to recognize Israel's right to exist. Hamas has engaged in numerous conflicts with Israel, including several wars and ongoing periods of violence, contributing to the complex and contentious nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.