The brutal Hamas assault on Israel on Oct. 7 demonstrated a blatant disregard for human life and the sanctity of peaceful coexistence. The rising death toll resulting from the assault underlines the indiscriminate violence Hamas unleashed on innocent Israeli civilians.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a state of war, initiating Operation Swords of Iron, the nature and scope of which is not yet clear.
Hezbollah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force have openly praised Hamas for the horrendous assault. This is not a coincidence. These terror groups are closely linked, and they all see the mass terror attack as a message to the Arab nations that are moving towards normalization with Israel.
In recent years, the Middle East has become an arena for escalating violence and Islamic terrorism. At the center of this turmoil are Iran-backed terror groups, notably Hamas and Hezbollah. There is a complex web of connections between these groups, which pose a significant threat to regional stability and security. The Iranian regime’s role in this is not merely that of a sponsor. It is a facilitator of savagery, perpetuating a cycle of violence with far-reaching implications.
Hamas and Hezbollah, both proscribed as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) by the U.S. and other countries, have received extensive support and guidance from the Iranian regime. This support has shaped their ideologies and emboldened their actions. The recent eruption of Hamas violence and barbarism against Israel underscores the significant role Iran plays in fueling such savage aggression.
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The evolving relationship between Hamas and Hezbollah can only be understood by examining their historical alignment. Although it was strained by differing allegiances in the Syrian civil war, recent efforts to rekindle the relationship reveal Iran’s persistent influence.
It is imperative for the international community to recognize the gravity of the threat posed by Iran’s support for these terrorist groups. The Hamas-Hezbollah partnership isn’t a localized issue. It is a manifestation of Iran’s expansionist ambitions. The U.S. and its allies must closely monitor this situation and augment Israel’s capabilities to safeguard its national security. As former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley has rightly pointed out, the atrocities of Oct. 7 were not just an attack on Israel; they were an attack on America. The global community must unite to combat this menace and ensure lasting peace and stability in the Middle East.
The Iranian regime’s support for Hamas and Hezbollah is a ticking time bomb. It threatens the very fabric of peace and security in the Middle East. The Hamas attack on Israel emphasizes the urgency for a collective effort to address this threat comprehensively. The world must act swiftly and decisively to curb Iran’s influence and support for terrorism if it wants lasting peace and security in the region.
The security alliance between the U.S. and Israel is strong. It is highly likely that both sides regularly exchange crucial national security information. The U.S. must work to enhance Israel’s current technical and analytical capacities so that Israel can effectively combat and eliminate the threat from Iran and its proxies.
As Nikki Haley put it, “This terrorist assault targeted not just Israel but also America. Netanyahu, take decisive action and finish them. Those responsible must face severe consequences for their terrorist actions.”
Erfan Fard is a counter-terrorism analyst and Middle East Studies researcher based in Washington, D.C. Views are personal. This article originally appeared on the JNS website.