The Israel-Iran rivalry has long been a cornerstone of West Asia’s geopolitical instability. While the two nations do not directly engage in warfare, their conflict manifests through proxy conflicts, notably involving non-state actors. One such case is Hamas, which is an Islamic resistance organisation and was founded in the early days of the first Intifada (December 1987-September 1993) uprising amidst the growing Palestinian vehemence over the Israeli military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The Iran-Hamas relationship has escalated tensions between Israel and Iran, creating ripple effects across the region. This analysis explores the dynamics of the Israel-Iran proxy war, focusing on how Hamas plays a pivotal role in the conflict, and examines the resulting regional fallout.
Iran’s Strategic Use of Hamas
Iran’s support for Hamas is rooted in its broader strategy to expand its ideological influence. Hamas serves as a proxy through which Iran can confront Israel without direct military engagement, thereby minimising risks to itself while amplifying pressure on its adversary. Iran provides Hamas with funding, weapons, and military training. According to a 2010 U.S. Department of Defense report on Iran’s military power, Iran provided Hamas—along with other organisations including Hezbollah— “with funding, weapons, and training to oppose Israel and disrupt the West Asian Peace Process.”
The report also noted that such assistance was at that time brought into Gaza through tunnels under the Philadelphi corridor (which runs along the Gaza-Egypt border) (Figure Below).
This support significantly enhances Hamas's capability to challenge Israel militarily, as evidenced in repeated escalations, such as the 2021 Gaza conflict and subsequent rocket attacks. While Iran and Hamas come from different ideological backgrounds—Shi’ite and Sunni Islam respectively—their mutual hostility toward Israel unites them.
For Iran, supporting Hamas strengthens its narrative as a champion of the Palestinian cause, strengthening its influence among Arab populations and distracting from sectarian divides. By supporting Hamas, Iran is able to create a perpetual threat along Israel’s borders, forcing Israel to divert attention and resources to Gaza. This, in a way, complements Iran’s strategy of encircling Israel through its proxies in Lebanon (Hezbollah) and Syria, effectively creating a multi-front threat.
Hamas acts as a critical factor in the Israel-Iran proxy war. Since 2006, Hamas has frequently launched attacks against Israel over the years, often triggering full-scale military responses. However, these attacks, though limited in scope compared to Israel’s military capability, serve Iran’s purpose by destabilizing Israel’s security and international standing. Eventually, over the course of time, training and resources provided by Iran have led Hamas to develop extensive tunnel networks and urban warfare strategies. October 7 attack clearly showed that the aim was to maximize the tactical advantage against Israel’s technologically advanced military. Every Hamas operation against Israel serves as a symbolic victory for Iran, showcasing its commitment to the Palestinian cause and defiance of Western-backed regional order. This bolsters Iran’s standing among anti-Israel factions in West Asia.
Source: BBC News
Regional Fallout of the Proxy War
The Israel-Iran proxy war, mediated through Hamas, has had profound implications for the broader West Asian region, affecting regional security, diplomacy, and the balance of power. The repeated conflicts between Israel and Hamas since October 7 have left the Gaza Strip in a state of perpetual crisis. Humanitarian conditions deteriorate after every escalation, with the civilian population bearing the brunt of the violence. This instability indirectly benefits Iran by perpetuating the cycle of resentment and conflict, which ensures Hamas’s relevance and dependency on Iranian support. Hamas’s activities compelled Israel to maintain a constant state of military readiness, straining its security apparatus. Frequent rocket attacks necessitated costly defensive measures like the Iron Dome missile defence system.
Furthermore, Israeli military campaigns in Gaza, while aimed at degrading Hamas’s capabilities, often lead to international condemnation and diplomatic isolation. The Israel-Iran proxy war exacerbates the faultlines within West Asia. Iran’s support for Hamas alienates Sunni-majority states like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE, which view Iranian expansionism a greater threat than Israel. This has contributed to the normalization of ties between Israel and several Arab states under the Abraham Accords, altering the traditional dynamics of the Israeli-Arab conflict.
The proxy war complicates the American efforts to stabilise the region. Washington’s support for Israel and its sanctions on Iran deepen the hostility between the two nations, while also straining American relations with other West Asian nations that oppose both Iran’s regional ambitions and Israel’s policies in Gaza. The fallout of the Israel-Hamas conflict extends to Lebanon and Syria, where Iran’s proxies, such as Hezbollah, are poised to act in coordination with Hamas during escalations. This multi-front strategy creates the risk of a broader regional conflict, with devastating consequences for already fragile states like Lebanon and war-torn Syria.
The ongoing Israel-Iran proxy war through Hamas carries significant risks for regional stability and international security. A major escalation in Gaza could draw in other Iranian proxies, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon or militias in Iraq and Syria. This could trigger a full-scale regional war, involving multiple state and non-state actors, and destabilizing West Asia. The proxy war undermines peace initiatives between Israel and the Palestinians. Iran’s support for Hamas emboldens the group to reject negotiations with Israel, while Israel’s focus on military solutions further alienates Palestinian moderates.
The continuation of the proxy war ensures that Gaza remains a humanitarian disaster zone. Chronic instability prevents economic development, fuelling cycles of poverty, radicalization, and violence. The Israel-Iran proxy war heightens the urgency of Iran’s nuclear program. Israel views a nuclear-armed Iran as an existential threat, and its determination to prevent this outcome could lead to pre-emptive military strikes, further destabilizing the region. The proxy war also leads to shifting alliances in West Asia. This realignment of priorities signals the shared concerns over Iranian influence. However, this also risks deepening divisions within the Arab world and complicating efforts for collective regional security.
The Israel-Iran proxy war, with Hamas as a key intermediary, epitomizes the complexity of modern West Asian conflicts. Iran’s support for Hamas allows it to challenge Israel indirectly, while Hamas leverages Iranian backing to sustain its operations against Israel. The consequences of this proxy conflict are far-reaching, destabilizing the Palestinian territories, straining Israel’s security, and reshaping regional alliances. The risk of escalation into a broader regional conflict underscores the need for renewed international efforts to address the root causes of the Israel-Iran rivalry and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Without such efforts, the cycle of violence and instability is likely to persist, with devastating implications for West Asia and beyond.
(The author is assistant professor at the Amity Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, Amity University, Noida. She specialises in West Asian studies and has authored the book 'Through the Looking Glass: Iran and its Foreign Relations.)
