Daily Alert

Iran’s Growing Influence on Hamas

Hamas plays the Sunni card and the Shiite card.
Share this
Mahmoud al-Zahar

Table of Contents

Sources in Hamas have disclosed that Iran is renewing its substantial influence on the movement after a visit by a Hamas delegation headed by Hamas Political Bureau member Mohammed Nasr to Tehran at the beginning of this month.

Hamas attributed great importance to the meeting. The delegation, dubbed “high-level,” included three additional members of the movement’s Political Bureau – Osama Hamdan, Maher Obeid, and Jamal Issa.  The group was joined by Hamas’ representative in Iran, Khalid al-Kaddumi.

The talks with senior Iranian officials were described as “warm,” and included a meeting between Hamas members and Ali Larijani, chairman of Iran’s Shura Council.

Discussions focused reportedly on the situation in Jerusalem, the ongoing blockade of Gaza, the repercussions of Operation Protective Edge, and the rehabilitation of Gaza.

In a speech at a rally in Gaza on December 14, 2014 to mark the twenty-seventh anniversary of Hamas’ founding, “Abu Obeida,” spokesman of the movement’s military wing, made a point of thanking Iran for “its support for the Palestinian organizations with weapons and money” and only after that thanked Qatar and Turkey for “their support for the Palestinian problem.”

Hamas’ distancing from Iran occurred in 2011 after Hamas took an anti-Syrian stand in the context of the Syrian civil war.

Hamas astride the Sunni axis and the Iranian Shiite axis

During Operation Protective Edge the controversy within Hamas came to the fore.   Of the two main camps, one, headed by Political Bureau chairman Khaled Mashal, favors the Qatar-Turkey partnership and the Muslim Brotherhood (the Sunni axis). The other, led by senior Gaza-based figure Dr. Mahmoud al-Zahar, supports the Iran-Hizbullah (or Shiite) axis. This camp includes the heads of the movement’s military wing, the Izz a-Din al-Qassam Brigades.

Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar (l) meeting with Ali Larijani (r) in 2012.  (Translator in between.)
Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar (l) meeting with Ali Larijani (r) in 2012. (Translator in between.)

The revival of Iranian influence over Hamas stems from the weakening of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt since the downfall of President Morsi and the designation of the Brotherhood as a “terrorist movement” by the new regime headed by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

Moreover, while receiving large-scale aid from Iran in the form of money, weapons, and military instruction, Hamas has received mainly promises from the Turkey-Qatar axis.

Al-Zahar, who enjoys Iranian support, takes a militant line against the Palestinian Authority.  In a speech a few days ago he accused the PA of collaboration with Israel.

The Palestinian Authority fears Hamas  renewed subversive activity, as in the recent attempt to overthrow Mahmoud Abbas’ rule that was thwarted by Israel’s Shin Bet (or Israel Security Agency), which uncovered an extensive infrastructure of Hamas operatives who planned a series of attacks on PA institutions aimed at undermining Abbas.

In his latest speech al-Zahar promised that just as his movement has taken over Gaza, it will take over the West Bank and establish security and police forces there, arousing great concern among the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah.

In recent weeks, Hamas has carried out several test firings of rockets toward the sea, and its senior officials have threatened to go back to firing on Israel if the rehabilitation of Gaza is delayed.

Hamas’ resumption of ties with Iran may involve preparations for a new offensive against Israel and a desire to reshuffle the deck because of the movement’s distress amid the tensions with Egypt, the deepening rift with the Palestinian Authority, and the difficulties in rehabilitating Gaza. The reestablished ties with Iran may also reflect Hamas’ wish to influence the results of the elections in Israel.

Yoni Ben Menachem

Yoni Ben Menachem, a veteran Arab affairs and diplomatic commentator for Israel Radio and Television, is a senior Middle East analyst for the Jerusalem Center. He served as Director General and Chief Editor of the Israel Broadcasting Authority.
Share this

Subscribe to Daily Alert

The Daily Alert – Israel news digest appears every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Related Items

Stay Informed, Always

Get the latest news, insights, and updates directly in your inbox—be the first to know!

Subscribe to Jerusalem Issue Briefs
The Daily Alert – Israel news digest appears every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.







Notifications

The Jerusalem Center
What makes a child believe killing a #Jew is justified?

In PA textbooks, Jews are called liars and frauds; their fate: elimination. This is #indoctrination—not #education. But change is happening. On East to West, @IMPACT_SE CEO Marcus Sheff exposes how #UNRWA-funded schools are fueling extremism—and what real reform looks like.  Listen now on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2JHqh973U  Watch on YouTube: youtu.be/8OkJTGNfVUc

11:43am
The Jerusalem Center
Highlights from the @Jerusalem_Post Annual Conference in NYC:

Dr. @Dan_Diker, President of the JCFA: “October 7 wasn’t just an attack on Israel — it was a blow to the U.S. on Israeli soil. It demands moral clarity and a united front between Israel and the U.S. to defeat jihadist terror.”

2:20pm
The Jerusalem Center
@XAVIAERD says it like it is

Well, @XAVIAERD says it like it is: If you’re part of “#Queers for #Palestine,” he’ll pay for your flight to #Gaza. Go see for yourself how they treat LGBTQ+ people over there. Don’t miss this bold take on the Israel-Hamas war and the woke right.

2:32pm
The Jerusalem Center
“This isn’t Israel vs. Hamas — it’s the frontline of the free world.”

“This isn’t Israel vs. Hamas — it’s the frontline of the free world.” On Our Middle East by @JNS_org, @Dan_Diker@KhaledAbuToameh (JCFA/@GatestoneInst) break it down: If Hamas isn’t crushed, Iran wins. The jihadis—from #Gaza to your campus—get the green light. Diker: “This war is for the West.” No fluff. No filters. Just raw insight from two insiders who actually know what’s going on.  Watch: youtu.be/4Aq_zcbb4Yo

2:15pm
The Jerusalem Center
5/5 Lt. Col. Kalo on East to West with @smartinezamir:

“This operation showcases Israel’s strategic intelligence superiority both regionally and globally. It demonstrates the moral commitment to recovered soldiers and also strengthens Israel’s position with allies.” youtube.com/watch?v=nIvNNi

2:07pm
The Jerusalem Center
4/5 The operation built on intelligence gathered during the 2019 #Baumel recovery

#Mossad agents operated under cover in #Syria for years, visiting a graveyard multiple times under fire to collect remains for DNA matching. The intelligence community’s evolution combines technology, big data analysis, and human intelligence capabilities.

2:02pm
The Jerusalem Center
3/5 This recovery coincided with the release of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander

This recovery coincided with the release of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander from #Hamas in #Gaza, significantly boosting national morale amid an ongoing conflict now stretching over 18 months. The dual successes demonstrate #Israel‘s unwavering commitment to bringing all soldiers home.

1:58pm
The Jerusalem Center
2/5 The operation used the power vacuum following #Assad’s fall from #Damascus

Lt. Col. Avi Kalo, former head of IDF Prisoners & Missing Persons Division, calls it “an outstanding event that brings hope and new spirit to the people of Israel.” The operation utilized the power vacuum following #Assad‘s fall from #Damascus, allowing #Israeli intelligence to deploy ground capabilities in #Syria.

1:56pm
The Jerusalem Center
1/5 Israeli forces recovered the remains of Sergeant First Class Zvi Feldman

In an unprecedented operation, Israeli forces have recovered the remains of Sergeant First Class Zvi #Feldman, missing since the 1982 Battle of Sultan Yacoub. The complex #Mossad mission was conducted deep within #Syrian territory, 43 years after his disappearance. This follows the successful 2019 recovery of Zachary #Baumel from the same battle.

1:54pm
The Jerusalem Center
A molotov attack on a bus = a “barbecue party”?

That’s what #Palestinian kids are being taught under @UNRWA  — from grade school to graduation. This isn’t education. It’s indoctrination. Marcus Sheff of @IMPACT_SE  breaks it down with @smartinezamir

12:51pm

Close