Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis, Iran - What you need to know

Here’s a primer on more than a dozen proxy terror groups that have taken their orders from the Iranian regime, threatening civilian lives around the world.

The current war in Gaza has been exceedingly painful. For Israelis, the 48 hostages being held by Hamas for over 22 months remains central, as does the near-daily loss of life of Israeli soldiers. For Palestinians, the loss of civilian lives and food security is a heartbreaking reminder of the horrors of war.

As Israel is increasingly demonized, it is imperative to examine the rhetoric being used—including Free Palestine and Globalize the Intifada—and to understand how, in certain contexts, it can escalate into real-world danger for Jews everywhere. 

The Israeli government and Hamas have agreed to a hostage release deal after 467 days of captivity, marking a significant development in the ongoing conflict. The deal, set to begin on January 20, 2025, includes the phased release of Israeli and American hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, alongside humanitarian measures and troop adjustments in Gaza. Negotiations are ongoing for subsequent phases to free remaining hostages, establish a ceasefire, and outline a plan for Gaza's future governance.

Some Hollywood stars are using the Cannes Film Festival to amplify a false narrative: accusing Israel of genocide.

At AJC Global Forum 2025's Max Fisher Annual Program, Elliott Abrams, senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies, Council on Foreign Relations and former U.S. Special Representative for Iran, and Vice President and Director, Foreign Policy, The Brookings Institution Dr. Suzanne Maloney joined AJC Chief Policy and Political Affairs Officer Jason Isaacson for a critical conversation on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, its regional terror network, and the future of U.S. diplomacy and pressure strategies.

As authoritarian regimes grow more assertive and the international order faces mounting pressure—from rising antisemitism to strategic threats posed by global powers—how can democracies respond with vision and resolve?

Rabbi Noam Marans, AJC Director of Interreligious Affairs, delivers a nourishing prayer following the return of four murdered hostages by Hamas.

Israel releases names of 250 Palestinian security prisoners under the U.S.-backed Gaza ceasefire-hostage deal. The swap includes Hamas, PIJ, Fatah, and PFLP members, while key figures like Marwan Barghouti remain excluded. Over 1,900 prisoners are set for exchange for 33 hostages as part of the 20-Point Peace Plan.

When word came that a deal had been reached that would provide a pathway for the release of the 98 hostages still held by terrorists in Gaza, I felt relieved, but I could not yet celebrate. Of course, I will enthusiastically welcome the return of the hostages and the end of the torture they have endured over the last 15 months. But until every hostage is returned home, we cannot rest.

After 467 days of anguish, Israel and Hamas have reached a pivotal agreement to begin releasing hostages. AJC Jerusalem Director Lt. Col. (res.) Avital Leibovich breaks down the deal's details, the phased approach to releases, and the emotional toll on families and the nation. Hear about the complexities of the negotiations, the potential political fallout, and the profound resilience of those waiting for their loved ones to come home.

On January 15, Israel and Hamas reached a milestone agreement that would secure the release of 33 hostages over the coming weeks, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

American Jewish Committee (AJC), the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, welcomes reports that the first stage of an agreement has been reached that will facilitate the release of 33 of the remaining hostages brutally abducted from Israel during Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023. It also outlines a path forward to secure the release of all remaining hostages held in inhumane conditions in Gaza and potentially end more than 15 months of war and suffering for Israelis and Gazans.

Since Hamas’ brutal attack on October 7, American Jewish Committee (AJC), the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, has been advocating side-by-side with more than 50 hostage families to keep their stories front of mind for officials at the highest levels of leadership across society.

Will Syria’s alliance of disparate rebel groups be able to ensure prosperity and peaceful coexistence in Syria and the surrounding region? Experts from AJC’s Center for a New Middle East in Washington D.C., AJC Jerusalem, and AJC Abu Dhabi shared what they see from their vantage points.

On November 26, Israel’s security cabinet approved a U.S.-brokered 60-day ceasefire agreement that involves the Iranian-backed terror proxy Hezbollah that will go into effect on November 27 at 10 a.m. local time, marking a temporary halt to over a year of violent conflict. Here is what you need to know.

American Jewish Committee (AJC), the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, welcomes today’s announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, and hopes its enforcement can lead to enduring security for both the Israeli and Lebanese people.

Amid the Israel-Hamas War, fears of a wider conflict with Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed terror group in Lebanon, are increasing as cross-border fighting has intensified.

Get the facts about the Inverted Red Triangle, an anti-Israel symbol often weaponized under the guise of "Palestinian Resistance" to identify, harass, and target Israelis and Jews, glorify Hamas’ terror, and call for increased violence against the Jewish people.