Iran is “finding ways to resupply Hamas,” moving weapons through Sudan and Egypt and then into the Gaza Strip, according to U.S. officials. Jerusalem launched Operation Pillar of Defense after a month-long escalation in the amount and sophistication of weapons used by Hamas against Israelis, and Israeli forces proceeded to severely degraded the Palestinian group’s supply of advanced weapons and its command and control infrastructure. Iran’s efforts highlight close and ongoing ties between the regime and Hamas, raising doubts about foreign policy analysis to the effect that Hamas is a pragmatic group interested in distancing itself from Tehran and capable of moderation. Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak is expected to emphasize the nature of that relationship in a Pentagon visit tomorrow.

[Photo: Amir Farshad Ibrahimi / Flickr]