Hezbollah is a militant Islamic group formed in the 1980s to counter Israel’s invasion of Lebanon. It believes any land considered Israeli is Muslim territory. Hezbollah has fought with Israel for decades and is classified as a terrorist organization. It has ties to Iran and Syria and seeks to defeat other influences in the Middle East, including the United States. Several suicide bombings and kidnappings are attributed to Hezbollah.
Also called Hezbollah by some, Hezbollah means “Party of God”. God in this case refers to Allah, the God of Islam. Hezbollah is a militant Islamic group that formed in the early 1980s, allegedly to counter Israel’s invasion of Lebanon. This group argues that any land considered Israeli land is actually Muslim territory that is simply being occupied by Israel.
Hezbollah’s harsh rhetoric includes claims that Israel has no right to exist and that the destruction of Israel is part of its mission. The group has fought with Israel for decades and dug deep into Lebanon, mingling with its government and its citizenry. Many Lebanese see Hezbollah as a protector and provider of social services, although it is classified by Israel and others around the world as an Islamic terrorist organization.
In 2006, when Hezbollah crossed into Israel’s border, killed and kidnapped a handful of its soldiers, and started raining rockets on civilian populations, Israel moved back into Lebanon again. In the aftermath of the battle, many were shocked that Hezbollah hid among civilians during the attacks. Others said Israel used “disproportionate force” and intentionally went after civilians.
Hezbollah has clearly defied UN resolution 1559, which in previous years called for its disarmament. Many fear that the 2006 ceasefire will be much the same, since such resolutions have not been implemented in the past. It is entirely possible that this is simply a “time out” for Hezbollah to regroup and rearm or await further instructions from its benefactors, rather than an actual ceasefire. Terrorist organizations rarely pay attention to resolutions, the Geneva Conventions or other rules of warfare.
Hezbollah has obvious ties to Iran and Syria and appears to be doing the bidding of Iranian and Syrian leaders, accepting money and arms from these states. While some see Hezbollah as an arm of these countries, a way to attack without formal declarations of war against other nations, others see Hezbollah as a legitimate political and military organization.
Israel is not Hezbollah’s only enemy. This group also seeks to defeat other influences in the Middle East, including that of the United States. The suicide bombing of a US Marine barracks in Beirut in 1983 is believed to have been the work of Hezbollah. The attack killed 241 Marines. Several other suicide bombings are also attributed to Hezbollah and several Western hostages are believed to have been kidnapped by this group over the years.
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