This week, clashes between Israel and Hezbollah escalated, marking Lebanon’s deadliest day in decades and advancing a conflict that has been intensifying for the past year with the militant group, which is Israel’s northern neighbor.

On Wednesday, Hezbollah launched a rocket towards Tel Aviv, while Israel retaliated with missile strikes on Lebanon, resulting in over 500 casualties on Monday, pushing both sides toward a more extensive warfare. Hezbollah, allied with Hamas, has significantly increased its rocket attacks on Israel since the siege of Gaza commenced following the Hamas assault on October 7.

A full-scale war between Hezbollah and Israel could yield catastrophic outcomes. Hezbollah’s military capabilities surpass those of Hamas, and with Iran’s support, direct involvement could escalate this into a far-reaching and destructive regional conflict.

Understanding Hezbollah

Hezbollah is a militant Shia Muslim group, as well as a political party in Lebanon, labeled as a terrorist organization.

The group was officially established in the early 1980s amidst Lebanon’s civil war to oppose two Israeli invasions. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, Hezbollah stated its goal in a 1985 manifesto was to eject Western forces from the Middle East and remove Israeli troops from Lebanon.

Hezbollah acts as a “state within a state,” operating independently of the Lebanese government by managing its political, military, and social services in the territories it controls. The group entered politics in the early 1990s and has held seats in the Lebanese parliament, though it and its allies lost their majority in the 2022 elections, as reported by the Wilson Center.

Increased Rocket Attacks by Hezbollah after October 7

Hezbollah, a supporter of Hamas, pledged its assistance to the group in its struggle against Israel.

Following Hamas’s unexpected attack on October 7, Hezbollah commenced near-daily rocket launches into Israel.

The organization claims its rocket fire is retribution for Israel’s ongoing siege of Gaza, which has devastated large portions of the area and resulted in the deaths of over 41,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

Although Israel intercepted many incoming attacks, a July incident tragically claimed the lives of 12 children and teenagers at a soccer field in the Golan Heights, an act attributed to Hezbollah, which denied its participation.

Hezbollah’s Ties with Iran

Since its formation, Iran has financially supported Hezbollah, viewing it as a member of its “Axis of Resistance,” a coalition of proxy forces throughout the region.

The U.S. State Department labels Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism, imposing sanctions on Hezbollah’s funding channels.

In 2015, Congress targeted foreign entities funding Hezbollah through U.S. bank accounts as part of efforts to disrupt the group’s “criminal activities” and “capability to finance global terrorist operations.” Both the Trump and Biden administrations have enacted additional sanctions aimed at Iranian and Hezbollah financial resources.

What Caused Recent Explosions in Lebanon?

The recent spike in violence between Israel and Hezbollah was ignited by sudden explosions from thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies in Lebanon over two days last week. This attack led to 37 deaths and left many individuals with severe injuries, such as loss of limbs and eyesight.

Reports indicate that Israel’s Mossad spy agency embedded small explosives within these devices, which Hezbollah utilized due to their difficulty in tracking. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement in these events.

The Military Strength of Hezbollah

Hezbollah is estimated to have around 40,000 fighters, as per the National Counterterrorism Center.

Following Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in 2006, Hezbollah significantly boosted its stockpile of rockets and drones, now reported to exceed 150,000 units, according to a Congressional Research Service report.

The 2006 conflict was initiated when Hezbollah fighters infiltrated Israeli territory, killing three soldiers and capturing two others. The subsequent month-long war resulted in at least 1,100 Lebanese casualties, primarily civilians, according to Human Rights Watch, and devastated large areas of Beirut.

Nearly a million people fled Lebanon during this turmoil. Within Israel, around 300,000 individuals evacuated as Hezbollah’s rocket attacks destroyed approximately 2,000 homes. Over 120 Israeli soldiers were also killed during the conflict.

Which entities have labeled Hezbollah a terrorist organization?

According to the Counterterrorism Center, Hezbollah has been classified as a terrorist organization by the U.S., Israel, and over 60 additional countries and groups.

U.S. authorities allege that Hezbollah has carried out numerous terrorist acts, including the bombings of the U.S. embassy and the U.S. Marine Corps barracks in Beirut in 1983, which resulted in more than 300 fatalities.

Recently, Ibrahim Aqil, a commander of Hezbollah who was wanted for his involvement in these bombings, was killed in an Israeli airstrike, according to the Israeli military.

Additionally, the group is suspected of orchestrating the hijacking of TWA Flight 847 in 1985, which culminated in the death of a U.S. Navy diver.

Contributing: Reuters