Most of the existing researches on martyrdom are based on single factor analysis and ignore the fact that this phenomenon is a result of individual psychology and the influence of the environment. That is why most of the researchers aim for multi level approach of the analysis. Only few of them though worked out this approach into a formal model. Although most of the researchers agree that the three level analysis approach is neccessary, most of the researches are based on two level analysis approach. Three level analysis approach was first introduced by Kenneth Waltz (1988) in his research on the causes of war more than fifty years ago. In Waltz model the most fundamental parts neccessary to understand internatinal affairs are individual, state and the state environment. If this is transformed into the matter of terrorist groups we get a three level model of Assaf Moghadam which is based on Waltz's model. In Moghadam's model a state is replaced by a relevant organization and the last level of Waltz's model is replaced by the structural level. Presented thesis is based on the research of Assaf Moghadam and his three level analysis model of suicide terrorism. The main objective of the thesis is the application of Moghadam's model to the martyrdom operations of Hizbullah. Based on this analysis the conditions leading to martyrdom operations of Hizbullah are being searched as well as the level of racionality of these operations is being questioned. The individual level of analysis focuses on the motivation of individuals, the members of Hizbullah who decided to participate in martyrdom operations, deals with the role and impact of charismatic leader and tries to analyse the correlation of poverty and lack of education and martyrdom. It also examines the motivation of individuals and based on the biographic data tries to create a profile of Hizbullah martyr. The organizational/collective level explains the motivation of the organization, Hizbullah, to use martyrdom. The structure and goals of the organization as well as its regional relations and how this context might influence the use of martyrdom are being examined. It deals as well with the forms of indoctrination Hizbullah uses to attract members as well as voters. The transformation of Hizbullah from the radical zealots into a political group, member of government is being portrayed. The structural level analyses external factors derived from the environment that might play role in developing the martyrdom within Hizbullah. The thesis focuses on selected factors such as shi'ite cult of martyrdom, history of shi'a islam connected with oppression, regional history and main historical milestones etc. It shows the examples of martyrdom within the history among both religious and secular groups. Individual and organizational level are closer connected to the martyrdom operation itself than the structural level. Some of the main structural factores are being examined directly on indivual and organizational level. Those important factors are shi'te religion and the cult of martyrdom, conflict with Israel- the occupation of Southern Lebanon, role and impact of other regional powers.

From 2002 to 2006, ten Palestinian women committed suicide attacks against Israeli civilians and military personnel, resulting in more fatalities and wounded noncombatants on average than attacks by male perpetrators. Rather than examining individual women’s motivations to become a suicide bomber, this research endeavor seeks to shift focus from this prevailing analytical approach to a sociological analysis of how militant organizations frame female participation to the public. Social movement perspectives and an extension of Erving Goffman’s work on frame analysis theoretically inform an examination of media produced by the two non-secular militant organizations of Hamas and Palestine Islamic Jihad. Organizations attempt to mitigate the “broken frame” introduced by female incorporation into an overwhelmingly male enterprise by strategically creating new frames that exalt and reinterpret extant social norms. Organizations frame female perpetrators as un-feminine individuals prior to their actions but, through the act of martyrdom, frame them as feminized symbols of the threat posed to Palestinian society, and its gender order, by Israeli military presence in the occupied territories. Martyrdom is framed, physically and symbolically, as a transformative experience. An application of frame analysis to violent social movements offers researchers the opportunity to understand how groups attempt to garner support and advance their interests within their populations and abroad. / text