Israel's staunch foe Hamas stays out of latest Gaza flare-up. Here's why

Hamas, acronym of Harakat al-Muqāwamah al-Islāmiyyah (Islamic Resistance Movement). Hamas rules Gaza & is the largest of several Palestinian militant Islamist groups. Hamas is dedicated to the establishment of an Islamic state in historical Palestine. In the latest Gaza escalation, the Hamas group has so far stayed on the sidelines.