'A timely introduction' – Guardian

The Islamic resistance movement Hamas was created in 1987, won the elections of the Palestinian Legislative Council in 2006, and governed the Gaza Strip since 2007. The attacks on October 7th and the subsequent war on Gaza have turned the international spotlight on them as well as on Palestine. What then are Hamas’s history, beliefs and political agenda? This is an indispensable introduction to the controversial political, social, religious and military organization.

Looking beyond the caricatures of Hamas’s leaders and cadre, Palestinian writer Khaled Hroub reveals a group largely guided by pragmatic aims. Asking the reader to re-think what they know, he provides the key facts missing from news reports, and an incisive analysis of their relationship with Israel and the West.

This third edition of the popular guide is fully updated, including a new introduction and chapters on Hamas and the Arab Spring, Donald Trump’s 'Deal of the Century', and the events of October 7th.

'A timely introduction'

'A serious and successful book'

'A very useful summary of the Hamas movement's origins, evolution, and key positions. The book's question-and-answer format yields clear and concise positions, and Hroub deftly expands on these as he explains the nature of Hamas' discourse on resistance and its views of Israel'

'Could not be timelier. Drawing on his deep understanding of politics and religion in Palestine, Hroub expertly answers every important question about Hamas'

Khaled Hroub is a Palestinian, born in a refugee camp in Bethlehem. He is currently Professor in Residence of Middle Eastern Studies at Northwestern University in Qatar, and former director of the Arab Media Project at Cambridge University. He is the author of numerous books including Hamas: A Beginners Guide. His articles have been published in Open Democracy, Middle East Journal and The New Arab, among many others.