Hamas Hopes Iran's Rouhani Will Renew Ties
The election of moderate Hassan Rouhani in Iran might open the door for repairing ties with Hamas.
Since Reformist-backed Hassan Rouhani was elected as Iran’s new president in mid-June, there has been much speculation as to the future of the relationship binding the Islamic Republic with the Islamist movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Until very recently, Iran had been the main financial and military benefactor of the Islamist movement and its government, which has been in control of the Gaza Strip since 2007. Relations were dealt a huge blow, however, over their disagreements on the Syrian crisis. Iran has since significantly cut funding to Hamas.
The Hamas movement has suffered major financial repercussions from its conflict with Iran. This comes alongside unfolding regional developments, especially in Qatar and Iran as well as the recent closure of the tunnels with Egypt. Nonetheless, the movement continues to find alternatives to compensate for the funding shortage.
With the rise of Rouhani and the fall of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, and amid speculation over the future of this once very close alliance, analysts were in agreement that Hamas isn’t likely to completely cut its ties with Tehran. Many in fact have argued that Hamas will rebuild its ties with the Islamic Republic.
