Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Hezbollah, a Shiite Muslim political party and militant group, emerged during Lebanon's fifteen-year civil war which began in 1975, primarily due to discontent over the presence of armed Palestinians in the country. The diverse sectarian communities in Lebanon held varying positions on this issue, leading to a complex and volatile situation.
Lebanon's sectarian power-sharing arrangement, established in 1943, plays a crucial role in the country's politics. This agreement, known as the National Pact, assigns specific leadership roles based on religious affiliations, with a Sunni Muslim serving as prime minister, a Maronite Christian as president, and a Shiite Muslim as the speaker of Parliament. Disputes and imbalances in this arrangement contributed to the civil war.
Hezbollah's formation was influenced by the theocratic government in Iran, which came to power in 1979. The group took up arms against Israeli forces that had invaded southern Lebanon in 1978 and again in 1982 to expel Palestinian guerrilla fighters. Hezbollah received support and training from Iran and became known for its extremist militancy.
Hezbollah's ideology is enshrined in its 1985 manifesto, which outlines its objectives, including expelling Western powers from Lebanon, destroying Israel, and pledging allegiance to Iran's supreme leader. The group is led by Hassan Nasrallah, who assumed leadership in 1992 after the assassination of its co-founder, Abbas Al-Musawi.
The organisation operates through the seven-member Shura Council and its five sub-councils, each responsible for various aspects of its activities. It is estimated to have tens of thousands of members and supporters worldwide.
Hezbollah exercises significant control over Lebanon's Shiite-majority areas, encompassing parts of Beirut, southern Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley. Its presence extends beyond Lebanon, with evidence of operations in Africa, the Americas, and Asia.
Iran provides Hezbollah with most of its training, weapons, and funding. The Iranian regime, along with its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), plays a crucial role in sustaining the group, bridging Shiite Arab-Persian divides.
Hezbollah has been a part of Lebanese politics since 1992, winning seats in Parliament and holding cabinet positions. The group further integrated into mainstream politics in 2009 with a less Islamist manifesto that called for "true democracy."
Hezbollah maintains a vast network of social services that include infrastructure, healthcare facilities, schools, and youth programs. These services have been instrumental in garnering support from Shiite and non-Shiite Lebanese communities.
Hezbollah's military arm remains a concern, as it possesses an extensive arsenal, including small arms, tanks, drones, and long-range rockets. Its arsenal is described as more significant than that of many nations.
While maintaining political and military power, Hezbollah has faced criticism and growing public discontent, particularly as Lebanon grapples with economic challenges and political turmoil.
The rivalry with Israel persists, and Hezbollah's activities have extended to the Israel-Hamas conflict. On October 7, 2023 Hamas attacked the south of Israel, killing 1200 people and taking several civilians as hostage. As Israel started its offensive against the Hamas in Gaza Strip, Hezbollah sent out warnings to Israel to cease fire or else the Lebanon based militant group has threatened to invade Israel.