Hezbollah and the Israel Conflict
Amidst rising tensions in Gaza, fears have escalated about a potential escalation leading to a conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The latter, a well-armed militia with loose ties to Hamas, is situated just across Israel’s northern border in Lebanon. The ongoing back-and-forth strikes between the two sides since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October have resulted in casualties on both sides, predominantly affecting civilians in Lebanon. Over 150,000 individuals on either side of the border have been displaced, seeking refuge in temporary shelters. Consequently, the Israeli government faces mounting pressure to secure its northern region by pushing Hezbollah away from the border zone.
Understanding Hezbollah
Hezbollah has been a formidable adversary of Israel since its inception in the 1980s. The group emerged in response to Israel’s incursion into southern Lebanon, originally aimed at eradicating the Palestine Liberation Organization. However, Israel encountered unexpected resistance from Hezbollah, a Shiite Muslim grassroots movement that proved highly effective in harassing the better-equipped Israeli military. By 2000, Israel had retreated from Lebanon, elevating Hezbollah to a revered status among many Lebanese citizens. In 2006, hostilities flared up again, culminating in a military confrontation where Israel unleashed a barrage of airstrikes on southern Lebanon and Beirut, resulting in the deaths of over 1,000 Lebanese individuals.
