Fact Check: "The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps supports groups like Hamas and Hezbollah."
What We Know
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has a well-documented history of supporting various militant groups, including Hamas and Hezbollah. The IRGC, particularly its Quds Force, has been instrumental in providing military training, financial aid, and weapons to these groups. For instance, the IRGC has been known to provide military training to Hezbollah fighters since the early 1980s, which has significantly enhanced their operational capabilities (source-1). Similarly, the IRGC has supported Hamas through financial aid and military training, including the provision of components for developing military technologies (source-1).
In recent developments, reports indicate that in the lead-up to Hamas' attacks on Israel in October 2023, approximately 500 militants from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad received specialized combat training in Iran, led by Quds Force officers (source-1). This training included advanced combat techniques, further illustrating the IRGC's ongoing support for Hamas.
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim that the IRGC supports groups like Hamas and Hezbollah is substantial and comes from multiple credible sources. The IRGC's involvement with Hezbollah is particularly well-documented, as it played a crucial role in the group's formation and has provided ongoing support in terms of training and resources (source-3). The relationship between Iran and Hamas, while complex due to ideological differences, has also been characterized by significant military and financial support from Iran, especially in opposition to Israel (source-3).
The reliability of the sources cited is strong, as they include detailed reports from established organizations and news outlets that specialize in Middle Eastern affairs. For example, reports from the Wall Street Journal and NBC News corroborate the IRGC's training of Hamas militants and the provision of military technology (source-5, source-7).
While some sources may exhibit a degree of bias, the convergence of information across multiple independent reports lends credibility to the assertion that the IRGC supports these groups.
Conclusion
The claim that "The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps supports groups like Hamas and Hezbollah" is True. The IRGC has a long-standing history of providing military training, financial support, and weaponry to both groups, which has been substantiated by various credible sources. The recent developments further reinforce the ongoing nature of this support, particularly in the context of heightened military activities in the region.
