Hezbollah and Hamas’s main platforms for recruiting and handling of human sources after 2006

Like any military power, violent non-state actors operate intelligence, including human intelligence (HUMINT), to suit their needs. The article aims to explore the primary methods used by Hezbollah and Hamas in recruiting and handling human sources since the mid-2000s, illustrating each method with several case studies. An examination of these methods may shed light on a significant aspect of the intelligence war waged by Hezbollah and Hamas against Israel. In addition, analysis of these organizations’ HUMINT activity demonstrates how violent non-state actors, which are inherently the weaker side in their asymmetric warfare against advanced state entities, can compensate for their disadvantages and conduct effective intelligence activity. The article reveals how the clever and creative use of HUMINT maximizes its benefits for violent non-state actors.