What is Hezbollah and why has it been fighting Israel in Lebanon?

Hezbollah is a Shiite Muslim political and military organization in Lebanon that has engaged in a series of violent conflicts with Israel. The organization receives strong support from Iran and opposes Israel's right to exist. Many countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as Israel, consider Hezbollah a terrorist organization. This designation reflects the group's history of violence and its impact on regional stability.

The most recent conflict between Hezbollah and Israel erupted in October 2023, when Hezbollah began launching rockets at the border in solidarity with its ally Hamas after the outbreak of the Gaza war. Israel responded with airstrikes. The conflict escalated further in September 2024, with Israel expressing its desire for the safe return of tens of thousands of people previously forced to leave their homes due to Hezbollah rocket attacks, launching large-scale airstrikes against Hezbollah, and subsequently conducting a ground invasion of southern Lebanon. These actions underscored the deep-seated tensions and the potential for wider regional conflict.

This conflict has significantly weakened Hezbollah. The offensive resulted in approximately 4,000 deaths in Lebanon, including many civilians. Since October 8, 2023, over one million people in Lebanon have been displaced. Israel claims that the conflict resulted in the deaths of 45 Israeli civilians and 75 soldiers. The scale of casualties and displacement highlights the devastating human cost of the ongoing hostilities.

A ceasefire agreement announced on November 27 required both Hezbollah and Israeli forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon. The initial deadline was January 26, later extended to February 18. Hezbollah originated as a Shiite militia during the Lebanese Civil War in 1982, formed to resist the Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon. This historical context is crucial to understanding the group's motivations and its enduring presence in the region.

Hezbollah means "Party of God" in Arabic. The organization was officially founded in 1985, calling for the establishment of an Islamic government in Lebanon and declaring that the confrontation with Israel "will end only when Israel no longer exists." It is widely believed in Lebanon that the organization's attacks on Israeli forces played a significant role in Israel's decision to end its 18-year occupation in 2000. This day of Israeli troop withdrawal is designated as a public holiday in Lebanon, known as Resistance and Liberation Day.

Since then, Hezbollah has resisted pressure to disarm and has maintained a strong military presence in southern Lebanon. The organization and the Lebanese government have refused to accept the United Nations' conclusion that the Israeli withdrawal has been completed, claiming that disputed border areas remain occupied and continuing to engage in sporadic exchanges of fire with Israeli forces. In July 2006, Hezbollah militants launched a deadly cross-border raid, triggering a large-scale Israeli retaliation. In this 34-day war, more than 1,125 Lebanese (most of whom were civilians) and 119 Israeli soldiers and 45 civilians were killed.

The following month, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1701, ending the war and establishing a buffer zone between Israel and Lebanon. The current ceasefire agreement is also based on this agreement. The resolution requires non-state armed groups in Lebanon to disarm and withdraw to about 30 kilometers (19 miles) north of the Blue Line (the unofficial border between Lebanon and Israel), aligned with the Litani River. The resolution states that this area "should be free of any armed personnel, assets and weapons other than those of the Lebanese authorities and of UNIFIL."

However, Hezbollah declared victory but did not comply with the resolution and established an extensive infrastructure in the area. Lebanon stated that Israeli violations of the resolution included military flights over its territory. Hezbollah has also continued to upgrade and expand its arsenal. With funding, training, and weapons support from Iran, its forces have become more powerful than the Lebanese army. In 2009, the organization issued a new political manifesto that removed references to an Islamic government but refused "any compromise with Israel or recognition of its legitimacy."

The organization's militants have also become battle-hardened in the civil war in neighboring Syria. By 2013, they were helping the government of then-President Bashar al-Assad turn the tide against rebels and jihadists. Hezbollah has also been accused of carrying out a series of bombings and plots against Jewish and Israeli targets outside of Lebanon. In the recent conflict with Israel, many of Hezbollah's highest-ranking military and political leaders were killed.

Hassan Nasrallah, a Shiite cleric, led Hezbollah from 1992 until his death in an Israeli airstrike in September 2024. Nasrallah played a crucial role in transforming Hezbollah into both a political and military force. He was revered by Hezbollah supporters and maintained close ties with Iran and its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Although Nasrallah was one of the most well-known and influential figures in the Middle East, he had not appeared in public for many years to avoid becoming an Israeli target.

Following his death, Hezbollah announced in late October that its Deputy Secretary-General Naim Qassem would become the new leader. Other senior figures killed in the Israeli attacks included cleric Hashem Safieddine, who had been expected to succeed Nasrallah. Hezbollah's current military strength is difficult to assess, as it has suffered significant losses. Prior to the ceasefire announced in November, much of its infrastructure was destroyed, its arsenal depleted, and hundreds of its militants were killed.

The downfall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria would also be considered a major blow to Hezbollah. Under Assad, Syria played an important role in Hezbollah's connection with Iran and was a key transit point for the transfer of weapons and ammunition to the organization. Previously, Hezbollah had been considered one of the most heavily armed non-state military forces in the world. In 2021, the organization claimed to have 100,000 militants, but independent estimates range from 20,000 to 50,000.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank estimated that Hezbollah possessed between 120,000 and 200,000 rockets and missiles before the escalation of the conflict with Israel. These arsenals mainly consist of small, unguided, surface-to-surface artillery rockets. It is believed to also possess air defense and anti-ship missiles, as well as guided missiles capable of striking deep into Israeli territory. The war with Israel has also led to a political shift in Lebanon.

After Lebanon experienced more than two years without a president, Joseph Aoun was appointed as the new president in January 2025. Aoun was previously the head of the Lebanese army, and he was selected even though Hezbollah preferred another candidate. He has pledged to work to ensure that the Lebanese state has the "exclusive right to possess weapons" - a direct reference to Hezbollah. In addition, the post-war cabinet appointed by new Prime Minister Nawaf Salam excludes Hezbollah. However, it is evenly divided among Lebanon's religious groups, and Hezbollah's ally Amal was allowed to choose four ministers.

The new U.S. Middle East envoy, Morgan Ortagus, warned that the Trump administration has "clear red lines" that Hezbollah will not be tolerated as part of the government. Prior to the war, Hezbollah - along with other political groups - was already constrained by Lebanon's many problems, including one of the world's worst economic crises and political corruption. No group has governed the country since the 2022 elections, and there is no properly functioning government.

However, despite the country's deep divisions over Hezbollah, the organization wields considerable influence, holding a seat in every previous cabinet since 2005 and possessing a network of social services, including schools and healthcare facilities. It also enjoys widespread popular support from those who see it as a force resisting Israel. In a country where religious identity strongly influences people's political positions, many of Hezbollah's supporters are traditionally Shiite Muslims, while many critics and opponents are non-Shiites.