Ismail Haniyeh, a leader of Hamas, was assassinated in an air strike in Tehran on Wednesday, July 31. Although Israel has not claimed responsibility for the killing, both Hamas and Iran have accused Israel of the strike, and have promised “major repercussions”.
The ‘Axis of Resistance’ and Potential Escalation
Experts believe that Iran could increase attacks against Israel through its allies, a coalition of Iranian-backed groups known as the ‘axis of resistance’. This alliance includes Hezbollah, Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), and the Houthis. These groups are considered major players in the alliance.
Roots of the ‘Axis of Resistance’
The roots of the ‘axis of resistance’ can be traced back to the Iranian Revolution of 1979. This event paved the way for radical Shia Muslim clerics to come to power. Iran’s support for non-state actors in the region, such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and others, has been attributed to its desire to expand political and military influence in a predominantly Sunni-majority region, as well as to deter threats from Israel and the US.
Overview of Key Members of the ‘Axis of Resistance’
Hezbollah:
- Formed in the early 1980s by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards to combat Israeli forces in Lebanon.
- The organization is the largest and most powerful member of the ‘axis of resistance’, with a significant arsenal and tens of thousands of members.
- Hezbollah and Israel have engaged in multiple conflicts, including a war in 2006.
Hamas:
- A Palestinian Sunni militant group that has governed the Gaza region since 2007.
- Emerged during the first Intifada in 1987 and opposes Zionism.
- Receives funding, weapons, and expertise from Iran.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ):
- A Sunni Islamist militant group aiming to establish an Islamic state in Palestine.
- Considered the second-largest militant group in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
- Founded in 1979 as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.
Houthis:
- Zaydi Shia militant group involved in the Yemeni civil war.
- Seized control of Sana’a, Yemen’s capital, in 2014 and currently controls northern Yemen.
- Responded to Israel’s actions in Gaza by attacking ships in the Red Sea.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- Who was assassinated in an air strike in Tehran?
- A) Mahmoud Abbas
- B) Ismail Haniyeh
- C) Hassan Nasrallah
- D) Ayman al-Zawahiri
- Answer: B) Ismail Haniyeh
- Which group is considered the biggest and most powerful member of the ‘axis of resistance’?
- A) Hamas
- B) Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ)
- C) Hezbollah
- D) Houthis
- Answer: C) Hezbollah
- When did Hamas emerge as a Palestinian Sunni militant group?
- A) 1967
- B) 1987
- C) 2000
- D) 2010
- Answer: B) 1987
- Which militant group aims to establish an Islamic state in Palestine?
- A) Hezbollah
- B) Hamas
- C) Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ)
- D) Houthis
- Answer: C) Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ)