Jesus Mesa
More than eight months after Hamas launched its surprise attack on Israel, triggering a brutal war in Gaza that shows no immediate signs of abating, a different Iran-backed militant group is threatening to draw Israel into a new front on its northern border.
Increasing clashes between Hezbollah and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) along the Israel-Lebanon border are raising fears that the conflict in Gaza could spread into an all-out regional conflagration.
Hamas and Hezbollah, both labeled as terrorist organizations by the U.S., EU and several other governments, are skilled in asymmetrical warfare. Both groups are supported by Iran and consider Israel to be their arch enemy. But while Hamas is more or less contained to Gaza — with its brutal Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel a notable exception — Hezbollah has transformed itself over the years, under the leadership of Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, into an influential political party and regional powerbroker.
"Hamas has increasingly received funding, weapons, and training from Iran, but it is not as controlled by Iran as Hezbollah, which is almost entirely backed by Iran and follows its directives," Julie M. Norman, associate professor in politics and international relations at UCL, recently wrote for The Conversation.
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