Hamas launched a rocket attack on Israel today

Hamas and Israel have a complex and longstanding conflict that is rooted in political, historical, and religious factors. Here's a brief overview of the situation as of my last knowledge update in September 2021:

Hamas:

Hamas is an Islamist Palestinian political and military organization. It was founded in 1987 during the First Intifada, a Palestinian uprising against Israeli rule in the occupied territories.
Political Wing: Hamas has both a political and a military/militant wing. The political wing operates in the Gaza Strip, which it has controlled since 2007.
Goals: Hamas's founding charter calls for the establishment of an Islamic state in historic Palestine, which includes Israel, and rejects the existence of Israel. However, in practice, it has been involved in governance in Gaza and has signaled a willingness to consider a long-term ceasefire.
Tensions: The organization has been involved in multiple conflicts with Israel over the years, including the firing of rockets into Israeli territory, suicide bombings, and other forms of violence.
Israel:

Israel is a Middle Eastern country that was established in 1948 in the aftermath of World War II and the Holocaust. It was recognized by the United Nations and has since developed into a modern, democratic nation.
Conflict: The conflict between Israel and Palestinian groups like Hamas is primarily centered on issues related to land, borders, security, and the rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people.
Israeli Response: Israel views Hamas as a terrorist organization and has periodically launched military operations in response to rocket attacks and other threats emanating from the Gaza Strip, which is controlled by Hamas.
The situation in this region is dynamic and has likely evolved since my last update. The conflict has resulted in significant humanitarian challenges for the people living in the Gaza Strip and Israel, and various international efforts have been made to address and mediate the situation. For the most current information on this topic, I recommend checking the latest news sources and official statements from relevant governments and organizations.