Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni Islamist political and military organization that governs the Gaza Strip of the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories. It emerged in 1987 during the first Palestinian uprising as an outgrowth of the Muslim Brotherhoods Palestinian branch. Hamas is committed to armed resistance against Israel and the creation of an Islamic Palestinian state in Israels place. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades. Hamas has been designated as a terrorist group by many countries and academics due to its attacks, including suicide bombings against civilian targets and indiscriminate rocket attacks. Hamas is backed by Iran, which funds it and provides weapons and training.