The year 2017 marked a significant milestone in the history of the Islamic Resistance Movement “Hamas”  in which it experienced  regional, national and internal events.

During the past year, Hamas renewed its adherence to its principles. It also fulfilled its promise to achieve reconciliation, led the resistance and ignited the Intifada in defense of Jerusalem and Al Aqsa Mosque.

Internal elections

Internally, Hamas ended the internal democratic elections of its leading institutions inside and outside Palestine which reflected the movements’  unity and cohesion. Yehya Al Sinwar   was elected as  the head of Hamas in Gaza Strip and Khalil Al Hayyah as his deputy. The Shura Council of Hamas elected Ismail Haniyeh as the head of the Politicburo and Saleh Al Arouri as his deputy.

By completing its internal electoral process, Hamas represented a model of smooth and  democratic transition of power.

Al Foqaha Assassination

In the continuous aggression launched by the Israeli Occupation against Hamas, a group of collaborators under the direct supervision of The Shin Bet assassinated last March the freed prisoner and a leader of the Qassam Bridges, Mazen Foqahaa  with a silenced weapon in front of his house in Gaza City.

Hamas declared that the Israeli Occupation was behind the crime and arrested the perpetrators and a number of the collaborators after security and intelligence efforts that lasted for a month and a half. This proved Hamas’s Intellighence excellence over the Israeli occupation

The Political Document

It a move that reflects the renewal and development of Hamas’ political thought and performance, Hamas presented its Political Document “Principles and Policies” in May to be a  reference for its political performance. the most important feature of the Document is the professional, contemporary, political and legal language which addresses the Arab and international regimes and societies in the language they understand.

The provisions of the Document regarding the key issues are clear, unambiguous,  and flexible terms of the political language.

The Document covered all the basic topics in eleven titles including the definition of Hamas, the land and the people of Palestine, the Islamic vision of Palestine and Jerusalem, Refugees and Right of Return, the Zionist project, its attitudes towards Israeli Occupation and the peace process, resistance and liberation, the Palestinian political system and the Arab, Islamic, international and humanitarian dimensions.

The National Reconciliation

On the national level, Hamas announced last September dissolving the administrative committee in Gaza Strip to achieve the Palestinian reconciliation and called upon the Unity Government to come to Gaza to perform its function without any obstacles.

A few days after  dissolving the administrative committee, Hamas signed the reconciliation agreement with Fatah under the auspices of Egypt. Moreover, Hamas declared that it would sincerely work  to achieve reconciliation to meet the hopes of the people. Thus, it welcomed the ministers of the Unity Government and made way for them to practice their  duties without any impediments and handed over crossings of Gaza Strip.

After a long and important step in the path of reconciliation where Hamas showed great flexibility and made big sacrifices,  Hamas continues to affirm that its decision is absolutely irreversible and it will not return to the division which it has completely put behind it forever.

The Jerusalem Intifada

Following Donald Trump’s  announcement  of recognizing  Jerusalem as the capital of the Israeli Occupation, Hamas fueled the Jerusalem Intifada and called the Palestinian people to prevent this plot by all possible means.

The head of the Politburo of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh called for popular resistance with the occupation.

Hamas called upon the youth to confront the American decision which targets our holy city by all possible means and pointed out that Jerusalem is a red line that our resistance will not accept to be crossed whatever cost may be.  

Foreign Affairs

Regarding external relations, Hamas succeeded in 2017 to move forwards in its relations with a number of regional and international parties; the most notable  was its relations with Egypt and Iran who are major supporters of the Palestinian people and their cause.

On their first foreign visit after their election, the leaders of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh and Yehya Al Sinwar visited Cairo on two separate visits. They discussed with the Egyptian leadership the bilateral relations, the prospects of the Palestinian cause in light the regional developments, reconciliation, and the ways to ease the siege imposed on Gaza Strip.

 At the invitation of the Iranian leadership, Hamas delegation attended the swearing-in ceremony for the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran elected for the 12^th session, President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran.

During their visit, Hamas delegation met with the head of the Islamic Consultative Council, Ali Larijani and the Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Jawad Zarif.

On a second visit to Iran, a senior Hamas delegation headed by the deputy head of the Politburo, Saleh Al Arouri met with the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament , Ali Larijani, the Secretary General of the National Security Council , Admiral Shamkhni and the Advisor to the leader of the Revolution, Ali Akbar Welayati.

The leadership of Hamas praised the great role of Iran in supporting the steadfastness of the Palestinian people. The  Iranian leadership confirmed its continuous support to the Palestinian people in resisting the Israeli occupation and emphasized that their cause lies at the core of the Islamic world.

Hamas leaders also visited a number of Arab and foreign countries; Russia, Turkey, Iran, Egypt, South Africa, Qatar, Malaysia, Mauritania, Lebanon and Morocco as part of maintaining  relations with the peoples and the governments of the region.

In 2017, Hamas renewed its commitment to its consistent policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries under any circumstances or to be a part of the conflict.

The conference

In the framework of constructive criticism, Hamas announced the launch of its first international conference entitled: “ Hamas in its thirtieth year.. Reality and Hopes” to study the history of Hamas, its present and its future in order to provide a critical analytical vision in all fields and  to contribute in developing its resistance capacity..

Hamas called upon the scientists, researchers and the authors to participate in their researches and studies stressing that these studies will be a great intellectual wealth for the coming generations.

The 30^th Anniversary

Hamas ended  2017 by celebrating its 30^th anniversary in a unprecedented mass rally under the slogan of: “ Resistance is our decision. Unity is our choice”.

In addition to the large popular support enjoyed by Hamas, it continues the battle of preparation to build capacities and power  needed to fulfill the Palestinian national project. 

.As Hamas completes its thirtieth year in 2017, Hamas shows great steadfastness by adhering to its ideology  of resistance and approaches towards liberation to achieve the hopes and aspirations of the Palestinian people.