Hamas

[ hah-mahs ]

noun

1. a Palestinian Islamic militant political party engaged in grassroots organizing, armed resistance, and acts of terrorism against Israel: designated a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union.

Hamas

/ ˈhæmæs /

noun

1. an organization founded in 1987 with the aim of establishing an Islamic state in Palestine

Hamas

1. A radical Palestinian organization founded in 1987 in opposition to the moderate policies of the Palestine Liberation Organization . In a controversial move, Yasir Arafat has brought members of Hamas into positions of authority within the Palestinian Authority . Hamas sponsors terrorism directed at Israel , especially in the form of suicide bombers in crowded places.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hamas¹

First recorded in 1985–90; vocalization of Arabic ḤMS, abbreviation of Ḥarakat al-Muqāwamah al-Islāmīyah “Islamic Resistance Movement,” from ḥarakat, form of ḥarakah “movement” + muqāwama “opposition, resistance” + Islāmīyah “Islamic” ( Islam ( def ) ); coined as a pun on ḥamās “excitement, zeal”

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hamas¹

C20: Arabic: zeal; also an acronym for haraka muqawama islamia Islamic Armed Movement

Example Sentences

Lukashenko has claimed that Belarus air traffic controllers diverted the plane because of a emailed bomb threat purporting to be from the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

From Washington Post

Critics also accused the prime minister of not doing enough to stop Hamas rocket attacks, or to reclaim bodies of Israeli soldiers.

From The Daily Beast

Israeli policy on settlements must change and Hamas must stop lobbing rockets into Israel.

From Washington Blade

On May 21, Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas entered a ceasefire.

From Time

The conflict threw into bolder relief Iran’s provision of funding and rockets to Hamas.

From Ozy

The question is will we see regime changes in both Hamas and Israel that embrace a lasting peace?

From The Daily Beast

“Supporting Hamas, or not supporting Hamas is not the issue,” said Israeli activist Miko Peled.

From The Daily Beast

The peace process is in a coma; and ISIS, Hamas, Assad, Hezbollah, and the Iranian mullahs make Israel look like the good guys.

From The Daily Beast

Hamas called the attack “heroic” and, disgustingly, tweeted out photos of the bodies.

From The Daily Beast

Fighters from Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and other groups did not fall back.

From The Daily Beast

When the sun rose, all on board beheld one of the Ba-hamas, which Columbus mistook for an island off the coast of Asia.

From Project Gutenberg

I have heard it said in the village—Bill Hamas, the carpenter, declares that there are double doors.

From Project Gutenberg