logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2023
51m 41s

A History of Hamas

NPR
About this episode
On October 7th, the organization Hamas, which is also the ruling government of Gaza, perpetrated an attack just across the border in Israel. The Israeli government says that the attack killed around 1200 people, most of them civilians. And Hamas also kidnapped hundreds more, including women and children, and took them back to Gaza as hostages. In response, Israel has bombarded and invaded Gaza. More than 11,000 people have been killed, and many more displaced. Since that day we've heard from many of you, our listeners, with questions about Hamas. So we took a few weeks to talk to experts on all sides to answer those questions – people who know the history deeply, and have even participated in it. Today on the show: the origins of Hamas, the context in which it developed, and what it represents to Palestinians, Israelis, and the rest of the world.

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy
Up next
Aug 6
Lies, theft, and cover-up: the history of Monopoly you've never heard
Monopoly is one of the best-selling board games of all time. It heralds free market economics and celebrates the American dream. That's a far cry from the original intent. This week on our series Hidden Histories, we go back in time to reveal the swindling and cover ups that robb ... Show More
49m 49s
Aug 4
The song that fueled protests and a legacy of hope
In our final installment of AP250, how We Shall Overcome became the anthem of generations of protestors. Today on the show, we revisit an episode from the NPR archives about the legacy of hope found in the lyrics of this timeless song. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy per ... Show More
19m 26s
Jul 30
The lightbulb conspiracy is both real and everywhere
Over the next few episodes, we present Hidden Histories: stories that will make you rethink how the world works. First up, the conspiracy behind the lightbulb—and how it came to shape the entire consumer economy. If you ever wondered why your tech outdates so quickly or just plai ... Show More
31m 49s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2023
What Was Hamas Thinking?
Emergency Episode: On Saturday October 7th 2023, Hamas terrorists broke through the border of the Gaza Strip and carried out a brutal assault on Southern Israel. As of publication, the death toll stands at some 1,200 Israelis, 900 citizens in Gaza, and some 1,500 Hamas fighters h ... Show More
1h 5m
Dec 2023
Two Months Later : Israel's war in Gaza and Netanyahu's political prospects
<p>The Hamas attack of 7 October shook Israel to its core.&nbsp;</p><p>It was a horrifying day that left at least 1,200 people dead, saw hundreds taken hostage, and a country deeply traumatised.&nbsp;</p><p>Israel responded with a deadly barrage of airstrikes and bombardment. Thi ... Show More
23m 58s
Oct 2023
Israel Palestine - War in Gaza
Today, we discuss the tragic terror attack in Israel by Hamas, along with a background of the origins of Hamas. We also discuss the larger geopolitical implications of the war and the fear of mass suffering of Palestnians. https://www.patreon.com/brohistory #291 Learn more about ... Show More
1h 22m
Feb 2025
Israel’s war on Gaza – what you need to know
It’s been a year since Hamas attacked Israel, and Israel launched its war on Gaza. More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed, much of Gaza has been decimated and Israel is being accused of carrying out a genocide. Sandra Gathmann explains what you need to know to understand ... Show More
14m 39s
Dec 2023
‘This Is How Hamas Is Seeing This’
<p>Here are two thoughts I believe need to be held at once: Hamas’s attack on Oct. 7 was heinous, murderous and unforgivable, and that makes it more, not less, important to try to understand what Hamas is, how it sees itself and how it presents itself to Palestinians.</p><p>Tareq ... Show More
1h 3m