Revealed: How Hamas Built a Foothold in Lebanon Under Hezbollah’s Protection and With Iranian Backing

Internal Hamas documents, found in the Gaza Strip, shed light on ongoing cooperation between the organization and Hezbollah on Lebanese soil—with Iranian involvement and guidance. The IDF spokesperson released today (Wednesday) materials proving that the movement received Hezbollah’s consent to establish itself in various areas inside Lebanon, even though they are part of Lebanon’s sovereign territory and without official approval from its institutions.

According to the documents, the process included close coordination between the sides, in which Hezbollah worked to assist Hamas with logistical and operational matters. Among other things, it was agreed that the Shiite organization would help store and transport equipment to the areas where Hamas would entrench itself, and would also provide financial support to expand its activities.

It also emerges that, as part of these understandings, a meeting was held between senior Hamas and Hezbollah officials, with the participation of the former head of the Palestine branch of the Quds Force, known as Saeed Izadi. The goal of the meeting was to approve the joint project and lay the groundwork for expanding Hamas’s operations in the Lebanese arena.

According to the report, Hamas planned to leverage Lebanese territory to strengthen its military wing. This included attempts to acquire advanced weapons, increase manpower, and improve its capabilities in rockets and artillery. The IDF noted that the documents also point to a broader strategic concept in which the Lebanese arena could serve as a significant lever in a future confrontation with Israel.

המסמכים שאותרו (קרדיט: shutterstock)

It was also noted that this activity gave Hamas de facto control over areas inside Lebanon, relying on Hezbollah’s patronage. According to the IDF, the documents paint a broad picture of a joint entrenchment by Hamas and Hezbollah in Lebanon and underscore the depth of Iranian involvement in the process. It further emerges that Hezbollah operates in southern Lebanon as a "state within a state", bypassing Lebanese government institutions and prioritizing external interests over the state’s sovereignty.

According to the report, this move was carried out "without consulting or receiving approval from the state of Lebanon", which allegedly led to certain areas being effectively removed from the control of the Lebanese state and transferred to entities linked to Hamas.

המסמכים שאותרו (קרדיט: shutterstock)

המסמכים שאותרו (קרדיט: shutterstock)