Hamas governing structure

Israeli officials have vowed to crush Hamas, the Islamist militant group that controls the Gaza Strip and spearheaded the deadliest Palestinian attack in Israel’s 75-year history
 

HAMAS: Founded by spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin after first intifada in 1987. Assumes sole control of Gaza in 2007

POLITBURO
15 member body headed by Ismail Haniyeh (above), sets general policy from abroad

DELEGATIONS ABROAD

SHURA COUNCIL
Consultative body, elects Politburo. Members’ identity remains secret

GAZA AFFAIRS
Yahya Sinwar
Former head of group’s military wing

WEST BANK AFFAIRS
Saleh al-Arouri
Heads Hamas’s Lebanon branch

PALESTINIAN DIASPORA AFFAIRS
Khaled Meshaal
Hamas chief from 2004 to 2017 and based in Qatar

IMPRISONED MEMBERS’ AFFAIRS
Salameh Katawi
     
SOCIAL WELFARE SYSTEM 

AL-QASSAM BRIGADES
       
INDEPENDENT OPERATING CELLS

Marwan Issa

Mohammed Deif

Deif: Israel’s most wanted and architect of Hamas’s attack on Israel

HAMAS GOVERNMENT 
Implements policy

Issam al-Da’alis

MINISTRIES
LOCAL AUTHORITIES 
SECURITY FORCES
 

Source: Council on Foreign Relations 
Pictures: Newscom, Getty Images, Counter Extremism Project
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