Islamic organization , Founded on August 1988 . Its militant wing, Izz al-Din al-Qassam unit, played a major role in the Intifada, the Palestinian uprising in the Israeli occupied territories. Responsible for attacks on Israeli soldiers , the group gained a reputation for unpredictability. It opposed the Sept 1993 peace accord between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and maintained a campaign of attacks within Israel .

In Nov 1992 Hamas formed an alliance with Iran for support in the continuation of the Intifada. In Dec 1992, 415 Palestinians suspected of having links with Hamas were expelled from Israel in to Lebanon. Refused refugee status by Lebanon and neighboring Arab states , they remained for six months in a on Marj al-Zahour, a mountain slope camp until international condemnation of the deportations forced Israel to agree to their return.

Its militant wing, Al Qassam, claimed responsibility for two bomb attacks within Israel April 1994 , in which 12 died, and for a further bus bombing in Tel Aviv Oct 1994, in which 21 Israelis and 1 Dutch national were killed. All were carried out by martyr bombers. In Nov 1994 there were clashes between supporters of Hamas and Palestinian police in newly liberated Gaza, the police shot 16 of them outside the Palestine Mosque in Gaza ('Black Friday')..

In 1989 Hamas leader, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, was arrested by the Israelis and sentenced to life imprisonment for ordering the killing of Palestinians who had allegedly collaborated with the Israeli army. he's been released on 1 October 1997, in a trade off with Jordan for 2 Israeli agents.