Iran and Qatar sponsors and principals of Hamas

Hamas has taken advantage of the opportunity, and — while the Israelis (mostly settlersand far-right) waving blue and white flags in the heart of the holy city — launches the first missiles on Jerusalem, starting a war that would have lasted almost two weeks.

Iran on the other hand has used Hamas’ escalation against Israel for two reasons: first, to improve its negotiating influence on the nuclear deal with the United States; second, to test the new Biden administration and its willingness to support Israel.

Hamas is now a regional movement, following the logic and needs of its financiers / supporters.