Hamas is mostly linked to Palestine. Hamas, an acronym for Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya (Islamic Resistance Movement), is a Palestinian Islamist political group based in the Gaza Strip with a presence in the West Bank as well. Hamas was founded in 1987 during the First Intifada (Palestinian uprising) and has since become a major player in Palestinian politics. It began as a resistance movement against Israeli occupation and is firmly rooted in Palestinian society and grievances.