The Daily

Why Hamas Keeps Fighting, and Losing

May 26, 2021

Ben Hubbard, the Beirut bureau chief for The New York Times, dives into the recent Gaza conflict and Hamas's surprising claims of victory despite heavy losses. He explores the group's historical roots and how their ideology drives a commitment to violence. The discussion reveals Hamas's evolution into a governing authority amidst ongoing challenges, emphasizing the cyclical nature of the conflict. Hubbard critiques current strategies in the Israeli-Palestinian struggle, suggesting they often perpetuate, rather than resolve, the underlying issues.

28:39

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Ben Hubbard

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Episode notes

Intro

3min

Hamas: Origins and Ideology

6min

The Political Rise of Hamas: From Guerrilla Tactics to Governance

3min

The Complexity of Hamas in Gaza

16min

Perpetuating Conflict: Analyzing the Israeli-Palestinian Struggle

2min

Commitment to Police Reform Amidst Challenges

2min

After 11 days of fighting over the skies of Israel and Gaza, a cease-fire between Hamas and Israel was announced last week.

The conflict wrought devastation in Gaza. Yet Hamas’s leaders took to television and declared victory.

We look at where the organization comes from and their objectives to understand why it has, for decades, engaged in battles it knows it can’t win.

Guest: Ben Hubbard, the Beirut bureau chief for The New York Times.

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Background reading:

After the cease-fire, in addition to relief, some Gaza residents felt a sense of déjà vu, having survived several recent wars with Israel. After each war, it takes years for Gaza to recover.
Israel’s military said its airstrikes killed dozens of senior Hamas operatives and destroyed critical military infrastructure. But victory is hard to measure.

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