It was formed as a militant underground faction devoted to a religious war to destroy Israel. Exiled Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal waves to Palestinian students during a visit to the Islamic Unive Mohammed Saber / European Pressphoto Agency Exiled Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal waves to Palestinian students during a visit to the Islamic University in Gaza City on Dec. 9, 2012. Exiled Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal waves to Palestinian students during a visit to the Islamic University in Gaza City on Dec. 9, 2012. The document is scheduled to be formally unveiled in Doha, the base of Hamas’ politburo leader Khaled Meshaal. Hamas came to prominence for its campaign of suicide bombings in Israel during the heyday of the peace process with Israel and the second Palestinian uprising.

Source: Los Angeles Times May 01, 2017 14:29 UTC