What are the Differences Between Hamas and Hezbollah?

Hamas and Hezbollah are two Islamic paramilitary organizations that are often compared. However, there are some key differences between the two groups.

Hamas and Hezbollah are two of the most well-known Islamic paramilitary organizations in the world. Both groups have been involved in numerous conflicts, and both have been designated as terrorist organizations by the United States and other countries. However, there are some key differences between the two groups, including their religion, primary goal, region of operation, political wing, and regional focus.

Hamas

Religion: Sunni Muslim
Year founded: 1987
Primary goal: Establishing an independent Palestinian state
Region of operation: Gaza Strip and West Bank
Political wing: Hamas Change and Reform Movement

Hezbollah

Religion: Shia Muslim
Year founded: 1982
Primary goal: Resisting Israeli occupation and destroying Israel
Region of operation: Lebanon
Political wing: Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc

Differences

Religion: Hamas is a Sunni Muslim organization, while Hezbollah is a Shia Muslim organization.
Primary goal: Hamas’s primary goal is to establish an independent Palestinian state, while Hezbollah’s primary goal is to resist Israeli occupation and destroy Israel.
Region of operation: Hamas operates in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, while Hezbollah operates in Lebanon.
Political wing: Hamas has a political wing, the Hamas Change and Reform Movement, which participates in Palestinian elections. Hezbollah also has a political wing, the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc, which participates in Lebanese elections.
Regional focus: Hamas is primarily concerned with the Palestinian conflict, while Hezbollah is more involved in regional conflicts, such as the Syrian Civil War.

Iran is a major sponsor of both Hamas and Hezbollah, even though Iran’s religious views are different than Hamas. This proves the old saying is true in the Middle East — “the enemy of our enemy is our friend.”

It is important to note that both Hamas and Hezbollah are considered terrorist organizations by the United States, Israel, and most Western countries.

Conclusion

Hamas and Hezbollah are two of the most powerful Islamic paramilitary organizations in the world. They both have a significant impact on the politics and security of the Middle East. While they have some similarities, such as their opposition to Israel, they also have some key differences, such as their religion, primary goal, region of operation, political wing, and regional focus. Understanding these differences is essential to understanding the complex dynamics of the Middle East.