What’s Hezbollah?
Both a political party and a militant group, Lebanon’s Hezbollah arose as a militia following Israel’s 1982 invasion of that country. Over the years, it has become one of the biggest political forces in Lebanon. Hezbollah maintains a significant presence in the Lebanese government as well as the most powerful armed force in the country. In fact, the group is one of the most heavily-armed, non-state military forces in the world.
A group of Lebanese Muslim clerics created Hezbollah for two distinct purposes—driving the Israelis out of Lebanon and establishing an Islamic republic in the country. The Israelis seized almost half of the Lebanese territory as a result of their invasion. Southern Lebanon (near the Israeli border) and southern Beirut (the capital of Lebanon) serves as Hezbollah’s primary bases of operation. In 2009, the goal of establishing a Islamic state was dropped, but firm resistance to Israel remains.
Hezbollah And Terrorism
Hezbollah fought in the years-long Lebanese Civil War which finally ended in 1990. Its activities included car bombings and kidnappings with Westerners as the main targets. The countries with whom Hezbollah is associated also give rise to concerns about its terrorist leanings. In particular, the group receives funding and equipment from Iran, with whom it has close relations. Hezbollah is also a strong ally of Syria’s president (dictator) Bashar al-Assad.
Given its activities and alliances, Hezbollah is deemed a terrorist organization by most of the Western world, and, of course, by Israel. Nevertheless, the Lebanese view the group differently. To them, Hezbollah is a “resistance” group focused on confronting the enemy state of Israel.
How Dangerous Is Hezbollah?
Clearly and undeniably, Israel and Hezbollah are enemies. But how much of a threat is Hezbollah? Thousands comprise the ranks of the militant group’s fighters, and a huge missile arsenal is available to it in southern Lebanon.
The paramilitary group claims 100,000 fighters, but independent estimates put the number between 20,000 and 50,000. Whatever the actual number, many of these men have experience from having fought in the Syrian Civil War. As far as weapons, the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank estimates Hezbollah has 120,000 to 200,000 rockets and missiles. While Hezbollah’s arsenal may be no match for Israel’s, it does boast precision guided missiles.
Who Controls Hamas?
From 1992 until Friday, September 27th, Hassan Nasrallah led Hezbollah. The 64 year old cleric from the Shia branch of Islam oversaw the group’s transformation from a militia into an influential political party in the Lebanese government and the most heavily-armed non-state force in the world. An adherent of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini, Nasrallah also holds a personal beef with Israel. His son oldest son, Hadi, died in 1997 at the age of 18 while fighting Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. The Israelis refused to return the body.
Recent Military Action Between Israel And Lebanon’s Hezbollah
Since October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, Hezbollah has launched thousands of missile strikes into northern Israel. These strikes forced over 60,000 Israelis who live near the Lebanese border to flee south. The cause of this missile barrage? Hezbollah claims to be acting to support Hamas, another resistance group but representing the Sunni branch of Islam. Both Hezbollah and Hamas are funded, directed, and allegedly controlled by Iran.
Just A Rumor Of War Or War Between Israel And Lebanon’s Hezbollah?
With tensions high, rumors of an impending war between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah run rampant. The match to light the war fire may have been struck on Friday, September 27th when a targeted air strike by Israel on Hezbollah headquarters in Beirut “eliminated” Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released a statement Saturday announcing his death at the headquarters embedded underground in residential building of a Beirut suburb.
Will the death of the Hezbollah leader revered both in Lebanon and other parts of the Arab world lead to an actual war motivated by revenge? Only the coming days will reveal that answer. But for Christians, whether it turns out to be merely a rumor of war or an actual war between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, the perspective is the same. Matthew 24:6 encourages Christians not to be alarmed because these things “must happen” before the end comes.
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