What is the Palestinian group Hamas and why has it attacked Israel now?

The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which advocates for Israel's destruction, has launched the biggest attack on Israel in years. Who is Hamas and what motivated the recent offensive? Listen to the SBS Sinhala Podcast on this matter.

Massive clouds of fire and smoke rise from buildings following an Israeli airstrike, in Gaza City, on Sunday, 8 October 2023. Hamas militants launched a coordinated attack on Saturday, with the violence leaving at least 1,000 people dead in both Gaza and Israel. Source: AAP / Fatima Shbair/AP