Context:

• Militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah are involved in the ongoing conflicts with Israel.

What is Hamas?

• Hamas is the largest Palestinian militant Islamist group and a major political party.
• It governs over two million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and is known for its armed resistance against Israel.
• Designated as a terrorist group by Israel, the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and other countries.

Formation of Hamas

• Founded in the late 1980s during the first Palestinian intifada, a resistance movement against Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
• Evolved from the Palestinian Muslim Brotherhood, previously non-confrontational.
• Hamas was created to specifically confront the Israeli occupation.
• Emerged due to a sense of failure within the Palestinian national movement, as the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) recognized Israel’s right to exist and abandoned armed struggle, while Hamas sought to adhere to the military strategy of resistance.

Hezbollah

• Hezbollah, meaning ‘Party of God,’ is a Shiite Islamic militant organization based in Lebanon.
• It’s recognized as the world’s most heavily armed non-state actor, possessing various types of missiles and rockets.
• Founded during the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990) amid ethnic and religious tensions.
• Inspired by the Iranian Islamic Revolution (1979) and supported by Iran’s funds and training.
• Main goals include opposing Israel, Western influence in West Asia, and supporting the Syrian government during its civil war.
• Currently involved in Lebanese politics, holding seats in the Parliament and participating in the government.

News Source: The Indian Express

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