Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist, militant, and nationalist organization. It was founded in 1987 as an offshoot of the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood. Hamas is committed to armed resistance against Israel and the creation of an Islamic Palestinian state in Israel’s place. The groups charter calls for the destruction of Israel and the establishment of an Islamic society in historic Palestine. Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by dozens of countries, including the United States. Iran provides Hamas with material and financial support, and Turkey reportedly harbors some of its top leaders. Hamas governs more than two million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.