The ideology of Hamas is deeply rooted in Islamic principles and the teachings of the Muslim Brotherhood. It views Islam as not only a religion but also a political and social framework for life. The group's charter, published in 1988, explicitly calls for the destruction of Israel and the establishment of an Islamic society in historic Palestine. This document reflects a blend of Islamic religious beliefs with Palestinian nationalist aspirations, advocating for armed struggle (jihad) as a means to liberate Palestine.
 
Hamas's ideology also includes the rejection of secular Palestinian nationalism, as represented by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), and opposes any peace process or negotiation that recognizes the state of Israel. In 2017, Hamas sought to somewhat moderate its image by presenting a new document that accepted the idea of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders but still refused to recognize Israel's right to exist.