Hamas vs. Hezbollah — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 1, 2024
Hamas is a Palestinian Islamic political and militant group, while Hezbollah is a Shiite Muslim political party and militant group based in Lebanon.
Difference Between Hamas and Hezbollah
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Hamas, established in 1987, primarily focuses on the Palestinian cause, aiming to establish an Islamic state in place of Israel and the Palestinian territories.Hezbollah, founded in 1982, is deeply rooted in Lebanese politics, holding seats in the Lebanese Parliament.
Hamas known for its social service networks in Gaza but is also recognized for its military wing's attacks against Israeli targets. Hezbollah is backed by Iran and is involved in various social services within Lebanon. Its military capabilities are significant, and it has been involved in conflicts with Israel, notably the 2006 Lebanon War.
Hamas's governance of the Gaza Strip since 2007 has been marked by conflict with Israel, including several wars. Hezbollah also plays a role in regional conflicts, supporting the Assad regime in the Syrian Civil War.
Both groups have been designated as terrorist organizations by the United States and other countries, though they also have significant political influence and support within their regions. Their activities include a mix of military operations, political participation, and provision of social services, reflecting their dual nature as both militant and political entities.
Comparison Chart
Founded
1987
1982
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Base
Gaza Strip, Palestinian territories
Lebanon
Ideology
Sunni Islamic nationalism, Palestinian nationalism
Shiite Islamic nationalism, Lebanese nationalism
Objectives
Establish an Islamic state in place of Israel and the Palestinian territories
Defend Lebanon against Israel, support Shiite interests
Notable Conflicts
Multiple conflicts with Israel, including the Gaza Wars
2006 Lebanon War, involvement in the Syrian Civil War
Compare with Definitions
Hamas
Hamas governs the Gaza Strip and faces significant economic and humanitarian challenges.
The blockade of Gaza has severely affected the territory's economy and living conditions.
Hezbollah
Hezbollah was formed with the support of Iran to resist Israeli occupation of Lebanon.
Hezbollah has developed significant military capabilities, including rockets and drones.
Hamas
Hamas is an Islamist militant group fighting against Israel to establish an Islamic state in Palestine.
Hamas has conducted numerous attacks against Israeli civilian and military targets.
Hezbollah
Hezbollah is a Shiite militant group and political party based in Lebanon, with a strong anti-Israel stance.
Hezbollah fought against Israel in the 2006 Lebanon War.
Hamas
Hamas emerged from the Muslim Brotherhood, focusing on Palestinian nationalism and Islamic identity.
Hamas's social services in Gaza have boosted its popularity among Palestinians.
Hezbollah
Hezbollah (; Arabic: حزب الله Ḥizbu 'llāh, lit. "Party of Allah" or "Party of God", also transliterated Hizbullah or Hizballah, among others) is a Lebanese Shia Islamist political party and militant group, led by its Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah since 1992.
Hamas
Hamas (UK: , US: ; Arabic: حماس, romanized: Ḥamās, IPA: [ħaˈmaːs]; an acronym of حركة المقاومة الإسلامية Ḥarakat al-Muqāwamah al-ʾIslāmiyyah, "Islamic Resistance Movement") is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist, militant, and nationalist organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
Hezbollah
A Shiite terrorist organization with strong ties to Iran; seeks to create an Iranian fundamentalist Islamic state in Lebanon; car bombs are the signature weapon
Hamas
A militant Islamic fundamentalist political movement that opposes peace with Israel and uses terrorism as a weapon; seeks to create an Islamic state in place of Israel; is opposed to the PLO and has become a leading perpetrator of terrorist activity in Israel; pioneered suicide bombing
Common Curiosities
What is Hezbollah?
Hezbollah is a Shiite Islamist political party and militant group based in Lebanon, known for its armed resistance against Israel.
Are Hamas and Hezbollah recognized as terrorist organizations?
Yes, both Hamas and Hezbollah have been designated as terrorist organizations by several countries, including the United States.
What are the main objectives of Hamas?
The main objective of Hamas is to establish an Islamic state in the territory of Israel and the Palestinian territories.
When were Hamas and Hezbollah founded?
Hamas was founded in 1987, while Hezbollah was founded in 1982.
Do Hamas and Hezbollah govern any territories?
Hamas governs the Gaza Strip, while Hezbollah does not govern a specific territory but has significant political influence in Lebanon.
What kind of social services do Hamas and Hezbollah provide?
Both organizations provide a range of social services, including education, healthcare, and infrastructure support in their respective regions.
How do Hamas and Hezbollah differ in their approach to Israel?
Both groups oppose Israel but have different focal points: Hamas concentrates on Palestinian nationalism, while Hezbollah has broader regional concerns including the defense of Lebanon.
What is Hamas?
Hamas is a Palestinian Islamist political organization and militant group seeking to establish an Islamic state in place of Israel and the Palestinian territories.
What are Hezbollah's goals?
Hezbollah aims to defend Lebanon from Israel, support Shiite interests, and has also been involved in supporting the Assad regime in Syria.
What role does religion play in the ideologies of Hamas and Hezbollah?
Religion plays a central role; Hamas is Sunni Islamist, while Hezbollah is Shiite Islamist.
Have Hamas and Hezbollah participated in elections?
Yes, Hamas has won elections in the Palestinian territories, and Hezbollah participates in Lebanese parliamentary elections.
How does the international community view Hamas and Hezbollah?
Their designation as terrorist organizations by many countries reflects a contentious relationship with the international community, though they also have regional allies.
Have there been conflicts between Hamas and Hezbollah?
While both are anti-Israel, their primary focuses and operational areas differ, limiting direct conflict between them.
How do Hamas and Hezbollah finance their operations?
Their operations are financed through a combination of state sponsorship (primarily from Iran), donations, and various other means.
How do Hamas and Hezbollah impact regional politics?
Both significantly impact regional politics through their military actions, political participation, and alliances.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
