[News Terms] Hamas and Hezbollah: Israel's Archrivals

'Hamas' is a Palestinian political and military organization. It was established in 1987 during the first Palestinian anti-Israel uprising (Intifada), rejecting Israel's religious and political existence, advocating armed resistance and the establishment of a Palestinian state, and was formed as a split from the Muslim Brotherhood. It has grown to become one of the major political forces in Palestine.

Hamas stands for the 'Islamic Resistance Movement.' It has led and supported numerous suicide bombings and attacks in Israel, and is designated as a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States, the European Union (EU), and other major countries and organizations.

An Israeli woman is evacuating with a child in the southern city of Ashkelon, which was hit by rocket attacks from the Palestinian armed group Hamas.
[Photo by AP/Yonhap News, Ashkelon (Israel)]

Hamas, once one of the major Palestinian political forces, won a landslide victory over the ruling Palestinian Liberation Movement (Fatah) in the 2006 Palestinian Legislative Council elections. In the 2007 civil war, Hamas defeated Fatah and took control of the Gaza Strip. Since then, Fatah has been pushed into the West Bank.

Recently, Gaza residents have grown tired of the extreme confrontation with Israel and the fanatical governance, leading to a decline in support for Hamas. However, as far-right politicians took power in Israel and changed Palestinian policies with uncompromising stances and repression, Hamas is reported to be regaining its support base.

'Hezbollah' is a Shia armed group based in Lebanon. Hezbollah means 'Party of God.' It was formed in 1982 by Lebanese Shia resistance forces opposing Israel's invasion of Lebanon, and receives support from Syria and Iran.

Hezbollah is a major political force in Lebanon, possessing military power stronger than the Lebanese regular army, holding seats in parliament, and operating schools, hospitals, and welfare facilities. It has clashed militarily with Israel multiple times and aims for Israel's destruction, with its related terrorist activities causing suffering to the international community.

Mark Regev, director of the Abba Eban Institute and former chief advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli ambassador to the UK, mentioned the possibility of Israel facing a 'two-front war' against Hamas and Hezbollah simultaneously in an interview with Sky News UK on the 12th (local time).

Regev said, "We do not want the conflict to expand in the north, but we would not be surprised if we have to fight a two-front war. It will not be easy, but no war is easy. If necessary, we can fight on two fronts and win."