Live Updates: Trump Expresses Frustration in Call With Netanyahu as Status of Iran Peace Talks Remains Unclear

Hezbollah emerged in the early 1980s after Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in 1982, which led to widespread destruction, heavy casualties, and deep political upheaval across the country. Formed formally in 1985, the group grew out of Shia Islamist fighters trained and backed by Iran. From the start, Hezbollah aligned itself ideologically with Tehran and received financial and military support from the Islamic Republic, helping it become one of the most influential armed actors in Lebanon.

During Lebanon’s civil war, which ended in 1990, Hezbollah established itself as both a militant force and a political player. It later gained wider prominence by fighting Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, eventually contributing to Israel’s withdrawal in 2000. In Lebanon, Hezbollah is viewed by its supporters as a resistance movement against Israel, which the Lebanese government treats as an enemy state. However, many Western governments classify Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.

The group has long been central to the conflict between Israel and Lebanon, and that tension remains active despite a ceasefire. Israel has continued carrying out strikes that it says target Hezbollah positions during the truce, while Hezbollah says it is responding to ongoing Israeli attacks. The situation has raised concerns that the conflict could intensify again, especially as Israel expands operations in Lebanon and considers renewed strikes in Beirut to counter what it describes as threats from the Iran-backed group.

Hezbollah’s power has also weakened significantly in recent years. Once regarded as one of the most formidable non-state military forces in the Middle East and an important deterrent against direct confrontation with Iran, the group is now described as badly battered. Israeli strikes have killed some of its most senior leaders, damaged its strongholds in southern Lebanon, and reduced the reach of its missile arsenal. These losses have sharply diminished its military strength and shaken its image as an unbreakable force.

The group’s decline comes at a moment of continued instability in Lebanon and persistent regional tension. Its history reflects the wider struggle between Israel, Iran, and armed groups operating across the Middle East, while its current condition suggests a major shift in the balance of power. Even so, Hezbollah remains an important actor in Lebanese politics and a key part of the regional conflict landscape, with its future closely tied to the course of the fighting between Israel and forces aligned with Iran.