The terms "militant" and "terrorist" are often used to describe individuals or groups involved in violent activities, but there are differences in their meanings and connotations: Militant: This term refers to an individual displaying aggressive behavior or attitudes. It is sometimes used as a euphemism for terrorist or armed insurgent. The word "militant" can be used to describe groups that advocate extreme violence but do not name or describe themselves as terrorist organizations. In some cases, "militant" is used to describe people not part of formal armed forces engaging in warfare or serving as a combatant.
Terrorist: This term is conventionally used to indicate disapproval of an individual's or group's behavior, regardless of the motivations for such behavior. Terrorism is broader in scope, as it involves violence against civilians for ideological, religious, or political goals, often with the intent to create fear and terror. News media often use the term "militant" instead of "terrorist" to describe certain groups, such as Hamas, as it is considered a more neutral term. However, the distinction between the two can be confusing and subjective. Some argue that there is a vast difference between "militancy" and "terrorism," with the former referring to the use of violence for a political goal, while the latter refers to the use of violence to spread fear and terror, often with an ideology that may transcend national boundaries. In summary, while both militants and terrorists are involved in violent activities, the term "militant" is often used to describe individuals or groups with a more specific political goal, while "terrorist" is used to describe those who intentionally target civilians and create fear and terror for broader ideological reasons.