This report discusses the Arab-Israeli conflict and outlines major views on both sides regarding rights to the land and territorial divisions. It also discusses the ongoing military and economic warfare between them and international attempts to negotiate a diplomatic settlement. Maps illustrating historical divisions and proposals are provided.

Hamas, or the Islamic Resistance Movement, is a Palestinian Islamist military and sociopolitical movement that grew out of the Muslim Brotherhood, a Sunni religious and political organization founded in Egypt in 1928 that has branches throughout the world. The United States, Israel, the European Union, and Canada consider Hamas a terrorist organization. The overarching U.S. goal regarding Hamas is to deter, transform, marginalize, or neutralize it so that it no longer presents a threat to Israel's security, to a peaceful and lasting resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, or to other U.S. interests. This report discusses U.S. efforts and policy debates on these issues.

This report discusses the Palestinian resistance movement and the various groups which comprise the movement. topics covered include group's motivations, goals, organizational structure, leaders, and activities.