Hamas-Hezbollah Ties Deteriorate Over Syria
The second segment of a three-part series on Hamas reveals a sharp deterioration in its ties with a former close ally, Hezbollah.
![Lebanon's Hezbollah supporters wave flags during a demonstration against Israel's military operation in Gaza, in front of the U.N. headquarters in Beirut Lebanon's Hezbollah supporters wave Palestinian and Hezbollah flags during a demonstration, organised by Lebanese and Palestinian factions, against Israel's military operation in Gaza, in front of the U.N. headquarters in Beirut November 17, 2012. Israeli aircraft bombed Hamas government buildings in Gaza on Saturday, including the prime minister's office, after Israel's cabinet authorised the mobilisation of up to 75,000 reservists, preparing for a possible ground invasion. REUTERS/Jamal Saidi (LEBANON - T](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2013/06/1-RTR3AINW.jpg/1-RTR3AINW.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=tv9RYabi)
Speaking about their relations with Iran, leading members of Hamas affirmed to Al-Monitor that Iranian support is no longer what it used to be. Hamas’ stance regarding the Syrian crisis, in addition to it denouncing the practices of the regime against its own people, has affected its relationship with Iran. Moreover, they said that the relationship with Hezbollah has broken off.
Ahmad Youssef, a member of the Shura Council and a leading figure of Hamas, said that he advised Hezbollah earlier not to engage in the Syrian crisis. When it did get involved, ties were cut between the two.