Iranian Proxy Engagement in the Israel-Hamas War

Policy Brief Program

November 2023

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How are Iranian proxies engaging amid the Israel-Hamas war?

• On October 31, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian met with the head of Hamas’ political office, Ismail Haniyeh, in Doha, Qatar to discuss the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Iran’s Foreign Ministry shared details of the engagement: 
  • In regard to the extension of the conflict to other regional actors, Amir-Abdollahian said: “The resistance groups in the region make decisions and do not necessarily wait for political decisions. Therefore, if the war crimes of the Zionist regime continue and the scope of conflict and war expands, no party will be unaffected by its implications and consequences.”
    • The Iranian diplomat cited the U.S. as a party to the war, while noting that globally, including in America and Europe, there exist “unprecedented anti-Israel demonstrations.”
• Days prior, on October 26, Hamas representatives participated in talks with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani in Moscow, Russia. 
  • The discussion criticized the “Zionist crimes supported by the United States and the West,” and “praised the position of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the efforts of Russian diplomacy.”
• Reports indicate that Hamas deputy-commander Saleh al-Arouri, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader Ziyad Nakhalah have also met in Beirut, Lebanon, where the leaders “agreed to continue coordination on a ‘daily’ basis and discussed ways to achieve ‘victory’ over Israel.”
• The “axis of resistance,” a network of Iranian-supported forces across the region, extends to include Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, the Popular Mobilization Forces militias in Iraq, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza, and Shia militias and the regime in Syria. 
  • While Iran’s exact relationship and means of support with these groups varies, this network is bonded over resistance to Western powers and Israel.
  • Many of these groups are designated terrorist organizations by the United States.

Hezbollah’s Involvement

• Since the October 7 attacks, Hezbollah and Israel have been exchanging fire via cross-border strikes. 
  • According to the Israeli Defense Ministry, 42 villages and towns in northern Israel have been evacuated due to intensified clashes with the militant group.
• While Hezbollah has sent rockets into Israel, reports indicate that the group may be restraining its response because, as explained by Lebanon’s Foreign Minister, “all of Lebanon, including Hezbollah — we don’t want a war.”
  • While Hezbollah is a chief party in the axis of resistance and Hamas leaders have expressed the belief that their “allies could contribute more to the war effort,” a deeper entry into the Israel-Hamas war may have larger ramifications for the region, potentially hurting Lebanon. 
• According to experts, Hezbollah is recognized as the world’s most heavily armed non-state actor with estimates of over 150,000 rockets and missiles.
  • Hezbollah’s arsenal includes artillery rockets, ballistic, anti-air, anti-tank, and anti-ship missiles and, in recent years, the group has acquired precision-guided munitions that can challenge Israel’s Iron Dome system.

The Houthis’ Involvement

• On October 19, a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Red Sea intercepted three missiles and several drones launched by Houthi forces in Yemen, assessing that they were appearing to head toward Israel.
• On October 27, two towns in Egypt were hit with drones. Israel’s foreign ministry attributed the attacks to the Houthi forces.
• The official spokesperson for the Houthis said they would carry out strikes with missiles and drones until Israeli aggression ceased.
• The leader of the Houthi movement, Sayyid Abdulmalik Al-Houthi, stated that the group is in complete coordination with the axis of resistance. 
  • He continued: “This coordination has red lines and relevant levels, including that if the Americans intervene directly, we are ready to participate even at the level of missile bombing, drones, and military options.”
• The Houthi forces reportedly have missiles capable of striking targets up to 2,500 km away. 
  • The militia’s stockpiles include long-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, and long-range drones.

Images: Tasnim News Agency