Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah have resulted in the deaths of hundreds in Lebanon, marking the most lethal escalation of cross-border hostilities in decades.
In retaliation, Hezbollah has launched hundreds of rockets into northern Israel, fueling concerns that the conflict, initially sparked by the Gaza war, could spiral into a broader regional confrontation.
Stay updated with live coverage Who is Hezbollah, and what is its history with Israel? Hezbollah is a powerful Shia Muslim political and militant organization.
It holds significant influence in Lebanon’s political system, with representation in both the parliament and government, and commands the country’s most formidable military force.
Hezbollah emerged in the 1980s in resistance to Israel, which had occupied southern Lebanon during the country’s civil war from 1975 to 1990.
Heavily supported by Iran both financially and militarily, Hezbollah has maintained a close alliance with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The group’s military wing has been responsible for fatal attacks on Israeli and U.S. forces in Lebanon.
Following Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000, Hezbollah claimed credit for the retreat and continues to contest Israel’s presence in disputed border territories.
In 2006, a major war erupted between Hezbollah and Israel after a deadly cross-border attack by the group.
Israeli forces invaded southern Lebanon aiming to neutralize Hezbollah’s threat. The conflict resulted in approximately 1,000 civilian deaths, but Hezbollah declared victory and has since expanded its fighters and weaponry.
The organization is designated as a terrorist group by Israel, Western nations, and Gulf Arab countries.
How much political support does Hezbollah have?
Hezbollah has been involved in Lebanon’s political system since the 1992 elections and has grown into a significant political force.
While the group and its allies lost their parliamentary majority in the 2022 election, no new government has been formed since, and Hezbollah continues to hold key positions in the caretaker government.
Lebanon remains deeply divided over Hezbollah’s role. While the group enjoys considerable popular support, especially among Shia communities, many critics accuse it of contributing to political corruption and oppose its military presence, viewing it as a destabilizing force in the country’s conflicts.
As a major political player, Hezbollah also runs schools, hospitals, cultural centers, and charitable institutions throughout Lebanon.
How strong are Hezbollah’s forces?
Hezbollah boasts thousands of fighters and a vast missile stockpile in southern Lebanon, making it one of the world’s most heavily armed non-state military groups. It is financially supported and armed by Iran.
The group claims to have 100,000 fighters, though independent estimates range from 20,000 to 50,000. Many of these fighters are battle-hardened, having gained experience during the Syrian civil war.
Hezbollah is believed to possess 120,000 to 200,000 rockets and missiles, primarily smaller, unguided surface-to-surface rockets. However, it also has more advanced weaponry, including anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles, as well as precision-guided missiles capable of reaching deep inside Israel. Its arsenal is considered far more sophisticated than that of Hamas in Gaza.
What is happening in Israel and Gaza, and what is Hamas?
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinians has intensified in recent years, with frequent flare-ups in violence. Hamas, a Palestinian Islamist group, plays a central role. It controls the Gaza Strip and has been in conflict with Israel since its establishment in 1987. The group is both a political and militant organization, seeking to end Israeli occupation and establish a Palestinian state. Hamas is known for using rocket attacks, suicide bombings, and other militant tactics against Israel, and it is designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, including Israel, the U.S., and the EU.
Who is Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah?
Hassan Nasrallah, a prominent Shia cleric, has led Hezbollah since 1992. Under his leadership, Hezbollah has grown into both a powerful military organization and a political force in Lebanon. Nasrallah is closely aligned with Iran, particularly with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. While he has not made public appearances for years, reportedly due to assassination threats from Israel, Nasrallah continues to be highly influential, regularly delivering televised speeches that are widely watched by Hezbollah supporters.
How has the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel escalated?
The longstanding tensions between Hezbollah and Israel escalated significantly on October 8, 2023, following Hamas’ large-scale attack on Israel. Hezbollah, in solidarity with the Palestinians, began launching attacks on Israeli positions, leading to an exchange of fire across the Israeli-Lebanese border. Hezbollah has fired over 8,000 rockets, anti-tank missiles, and drones at northern Israel and the Golan Heights. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have responded with airstrikes, artillery fire, and tank attacks on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
This cross-border violence has led to significant displacement, with more than 70,000 people fleeing northern Israel and over 110,000 displaced in Lebanon. Notably, on July 27, a rocket attack in the Golan Heights killed 12 children and young people, which Israel attributed to Hezbollah, though the group denied involvement. Other major incidents include the IDF’s killing of Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr and subsequent retaliatory rocket fire by Hezbollah.
The conflict has caused heavy casualties, with Lebanon’s health ministry reporting at least 613 deaths as of September 20, most of whom were Hezbollah fighters, but also including civilians. In Israel, at least 49 people have been killed in direct attacks. Despite the escalations, Hezbollah has not fully deployed its most advanced weaponry, suggesting both sides may be managing the conflict to avoid an all-out war.
