Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militant group in Lebanon, has emerged as a key player, launching attacks on Israel while facing expanded Israeli airstrikes across the region. A broader regional crisis may not be far away in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict, fueled by intensified cross-border attacks on Israel’s northern front. Here’s all you need to know.

What is Hezbollah? Hezbollah, meaning “Party of God”, is a political party and militant group that first emerged during Lebanon’s civil war as a militia after the Israeli invasion in 1982. Based in Lebanon, it stands as a significant Islamist movement in the Middle East.

The organisation maintains a robust military wing and concurrently operates a political party, exercising considerable influence within Lebanon. Hezbollah has been designated as a terrorist organisation by the US, Israel and some other countries.

How strong is Hezbollah? With Iranian support, the Shiite group has evolved from a clandestine faction formed during Lebanon’s 1975-90 civil war into a heavily armed force wielding significant influence over the Lebanese state. According to news reports, the Hezbollah force has up to 20,000 full-time fighters and 30,000 part-time fighters.

Hezbollah has vast stocks of weapons including long-range missiles, small arms, tanks, drones, sophisticated anti-ship and anti-armor weapons, and other artillery. A 2018 report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies called it “the world’s most heavily armed non-state actor.”

Where is Hezbollah active? Hezbollah controls much of Lebanon’s majority Shia areas, including parts of Beirut, southern Lebanon, and the eastern Bekaa Valley. The group faces accusations of orchestrating and carrying out terrorist activities targeting Israeli and Jewish interests internationally, with documented instances of Hezbollah operations spanning across Africa, America, and Asia.

Who is the leader of Hezbollah? Hassan Nasrallah took over as secretary-general in 1992 after Israel assassinated the group’s cofounder and previous leader, Abbas Al-Musawi. The leader of the group oversees the seven-member Shura Council and its five subcouncils: the political assembly, the jihad assembly, the parliamentary assembly, the executive assembly, and the judicial assembly. It is estimated that Hezbollah has tens of thousands of members and supporters worldwide.

Origin of Hezbollah | Hezbollah emerged in Lebanon during the chaos of Lebanon’s 15-year civil war, which broke out in 1975. In 1982 a group of Shiites took up arms against the Israeli occupation of Lebanon. This militia adopted the name Hezbollah. Iran and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) provided funds and training to this militia. Soon Hezbollah earned a reputation for extremist militancy and became a vital asset to Iran. Hezbollah was the only militia allowed to keep its arms in the 1989 Taif Agreement that ended the civil war in Lebanon.

Hezbollah in Lebanon politics | Hezbollah entered the Lebanese government in 1992, securing eight parliamentary seats. Since 2005, the party has consistently held positions in the cabinet. In 2009, a revised manifesto signalled Hezbollah’s move toward mainstream politics, emphasising a less Islamist stance. In the latest national elections of 2022, Hezbollah maintained its 13 seats in the 128-member Parliament, although the party and its allies no longer held the majority.

History of tension between Hezbollah and Israel | Israel is Hezbollah’s main enemy. In 1982, Israel invaded Lebanon sparking the creation of Hezbollah. Over the years, tension increased as Israel launched Operation Accountability and Operation Grapes of Wrath in Lebanon in 1993 and 1996. In 1994, Hezbollah was blamed for car bombings of a Jewish community centre in Argentina. It allegedly also bombed the Embassy of Israel in London.

Hezbollah reiterated its commitment to the destruction of the Israeli state in its manifesto in 2009. In 2019, Hezbollah attacked an Israeli army base and 2021 fired more than a dozen rockets in response to Israeli air strikes in Lebanon. The tensions further escalated in 2023 after Hamas’ October 7 attack on southern Israel. There has been an increase in cross-border fire between Israel and Hezbollah since the attack.

What Hezbollah have to do with the Israel-Hamas War? After the October assault on Israel by Hamas, Hezbollah demonstrated “solidarity” by firing shells into Israel, with reports of some militants attempting to infiltrate. Experts suggest Iran and Hezbollah likely provided guidance and training for Hamas’ operation against Israel.

Hezbollah has expressed readiness to further support Hamas in the ongoing conflict, raising concerns about heightened challenges for Israel and increased regional instability. Over the last few days, Israel and Hezbollah have exchanged fire and warnings of a broader war. Israel recently said that Hezbollah risks dragging Lebanon into a wider regional war.