Hezbollah (Lebanon): Difference between revisions

[[Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah]] served 32 years as the secretary general of Hezbollah. He was assassinated by Zionist aggression in the southern suburb of Beirut on 27 September 2024. Prior to his leadership, [[Subhi al-Tufayli]] and [[Sayyid Abbas al-Musawi]] held the position. Throughout its existence, Hezbollah has been involved in multiple military conflicts with the Zionist Regime, with the most notable being the [[33-day war]] in 2006. The Zionist regime initiated this war to disarm Hezbollah and rescue two Zionist military personnel captured during a Hezbollah operation known as "al-Wa'd al-Sadiq" (the True Promise). Hezbollah has also actively engaged in combat against the terrorist group [[ISIS]] in defence of the Syrian government. In addition to its military activities, Hezbollah is involved in various cultural, social, and political endeavours. The Al-Manar TV Network serves as a media outlet affiliated with Hezbollah.

As per a commander from the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]], in response to the Israeli attack on Lebanon in 1982, a contingent of IRGC commanders was deployed to Lebanon. Their mission was to train Lebanese forces in resistance tactics against the Zionist regime. In addition to military training, their efforts aimed to foster unity among various groups affiliated with Iran, ultimately leading to the formation of Hezbollah.<ref>[https://www.irna.ir/news/81432430/نحوه-شكل-گیری-حزب-الله-لبنان-از-زبان-وزیر-دفاع How Lebanon's Hezbollah was formed from the words of Iran's former defence minister.]</ref> According to [[Na'im Qassem]], the deputy secretary general of Hezbollah, these groups arrived in Lebanon under the directive of [[Imam Khomeini]] to provide military training. Prior to this, the [[Amal Movement]], Islamic Dawa Party, the Assembly of the Scholars in Beqaa', and Islamic Committees had already agreed to establish a unified party to counter the Israeli occupation, and their proposal received confirmation from Imam Khomeini.<ref>Naʿīm Qāsim, ''Hezbollah al-manhaj al-tajruba al-mustaqal'', p. 22-25.</ref>

[[Subhi al-Tufayli]] was Hezbollah's first elected Secretary General, assuming the position on November 5, 1989. Prior to his election, Hezbollah operated with a leadership council for seven years.<ref>Naʿīm Qāsim, ''Hezbollah al-manhaj al-tajruba al-mustaqal'', p. 85.</ref> The founding members of Hezbollah included [[Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Fadl Allah]], Subhi al-Tufayli, [[Sayyid Abbas al-Musawi]], [[Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah]], [[Naim Qassem]], Hossein Korani, Hussein Khalil, Mohammad Raa'd, Muhammad Fneish, Mohammad Yazbek, and Ibrahim Amin.<ref>Ḥusaynī, ''Seyr-i taḥawwul dar rahbarī wa ideology Hezbollah'', p. ?</ref> In May 1991, Subhi al-Tufayli was removed from his position as Secretary General due to growing disagreements and criticism. He was succeeded by Sayyid Abbas al-Musawi, who was elected as the new Secretary General of Hezbollah.<ref>Naʿīm Qāsim, ''Hezbollah al-manhaj al-tajruba al-mustaqal'', p. 85-86.</ref> On February 16, 1992, al-Musawi was assassinated by the Israeli regime. Following his martyrdom, the Hezbollah council elected Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah as the new Secretary General.<ref>Naʿīm Qāsim, ''Hezbollah al-manhaj al-tajruba al-mustaqal'', p. 85-86.</ref> He was later assassinated due to Israeli aggression in the southern suburb of Beirut on September 27, 2024.<ref>[https://www.almanar.com.lb/12534634 Martyrdom of the Secretary General of Hizbollah, Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah]</ref>

Here are some of Hezbollah's prominent figures.

Shaykh Subhi al-Tufayli (b. 1948) served as the inaugural secretary general of Hezbollah in Lebanon from 1989 to 1991. In 1998, he founded the Revolt of the Hungry (Thawrat al-Jiya'). This movement witnessed his supporters engaging in attacks on several governmental centres, leading to conflicts and loss of lives. In the present day, Shaykh Subhi al-Tufayli has become critical of certain positions and practices adopted by both Hezbollah and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

[[Imad Mughniyeh]], also known as al-Hajj Radwan, was a prominent commander of Hezbollah. He held the responsibility of commanding the guard that protected high-ranking Hezbollah officials and was also in charge of overseeing special operations conducted by the organization. Notably, he played a key role in planning and leading the al-Wa'd al-Sadiq (True Promise) operation and served as a field commander for Hezbollah during the 33-day war against the Zionist regime.<ref>[https://www.hamshahrionline.ir/news/44266/زندگینامه-عماد-مغنیه-۱۹۶۲-۲۰۰۸ Biography of Imad Mughniyeh.]</ref> Imad Mughniyeh was assassinated by Israeli regime in [[Damascus]] on February 12, 2008.<ref>[https://www.mashreghnews.ir/news/1076403/جزئیاتی-از-جنایت-ترور-شهید-عماد-مغنیه-توسط-واشنگتن-و-تل-آویو Details of the assassination of martyr "Imad Mughniyeh" by Washington and Tel Aviv.]</ref>

In 1985, Hezbollah made a public and official declaration of its ideology and strategy, which centred around the fight against the Zionist regime. During its early years, the organization primarily engaged in martyrdom operations targeting Israeli forces. However, as time passed, Hezbollah's strategy evolved. In response to the assassination of their Secretary General at the time, Sayyid Abbas al-Musawi, Hezbollah forces retaliated by launching Katyusha missiles towards Zionist settlements in northern [[Palestine]].

* '''Here are some of the major events that took place between Hezbollah and the Israeli regime:'''

On July 25, 1993, the Zionist regime launched an attack on Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah and create divisions between Hezbollah and the Lebanese population. The aim was to exert pressure on the Lebanese government to suppress Hezbollah's resistance activities. However, this attack elicited a response from Hezbollah. On July 31, 1993, the Israeli regime and Hezbollah reached an agreement known as the July Memorandum of Understanding. According to this agreement, Hezbollah committed to refraining from launching Katyusha missiles towards the occupied territories of Palestine. In return, the Israeli regime agreed to cease its aggressive actions.

On April 11, 1996, the Israeli regime initiated a military operation called the Grapes of Wrath, targeting Lebanon. This operation was marked by several significant incidents, including the four murders in Sohmor on the second day, an attack on the Mansouri ambulance on the third day, and the attacks in Nabatiyeh and Qana<ref>The Qana Massacre took place on April 18, 1996, near the village of Qana, in southern Lebanon, when the Israeli Defense Forces fired artillery shells at UN facilities. The artillery fire was launched to cover Israeli special forces after they came under mortar fire from near the compound, radioing in for assistance. Of the 800 Lebanese civilians who took refuge in the compound, 106 were killed and about 116 injured. Four Fijian soldiers from the UN Lebanese Interim Force were also seriously injured. The attack occurred amid heavy fighting between the Israeli regime's Defense Forces and Hezbollah during Operation The Grapes of Wrath. A UN investigation later said the Israeli shelling was deliberate, based on video evidence showing an Israeli reconnaissance drone flying over the site before the shelling. The Israeli government initially denied the drone's existence but said it was on a different mission after being briefed on video evidence.</ref>.<ref>[https://academic-accelerator.com/encyclopedia/qana-massacre Qana Massacre; Encyclopedia, Science News & Research Reviews]</ref> on the seventh day. These attacks resulted in the loss of 25 lives, including 14 members of Hezbollah. The Grapes of Wrath operation lasted for 16 days. However, eventually, both parties reached an agreement known as the April Agreement. Under the April Agreement, the Israeli regime committed to refraining from targeting civilians and agreed to engage resistance forces in its military operations exclusively.

After the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, some Hezbollah members, including Mustafa Dirani and 'Abd al-Karim Ubayd, remained imprisoned in Israel. To secure their release, Hezbollah conducted an operation in the Chebaa farms region of southern Lebanon. On October 7, 2000, they captured three Israeli soldiers and also arrested an Israeli colonel in Beirut. Consequently, a prisoner exchange took place between the Israeli regime and Hezbollah. As part of the exchange, the Zionist regime released several Lebanese prisoners, along with 400 Palestinian prisoners, and returned the bodies of 59 martyrs. In addition, the Israeli government provided information on the identities of 24 missing individuals and handed over a map indicating the location of landmines along the Lebanese borders. The exchange operation was carried out on January 29-30, 2004.

In 2006, a war broke out between Hezbollah and the Israeli regime, which became known as the July War or the 33-day war. Despite its agreement with Hezbollah, the Israeli regime failed to release its three prisoners as promised. As a result, in July 2006, Hezbollah conducted the al-Wa'd al-Sadiq (True Promise) operation and captured two Israeli military members. In an attempt to secure the release of its prisoners and disarm Hezbollah, the Israeli regime launched an attack on Lebanon, triggering a full-scale war between the two parties. The conflict lasted for 33 days. On the morning of the 34th day, August 14, 2006, a ceasefire was implemented in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.

Furthermore, in 2008, following the conclusion of the 33-day war, Hezbollah engaged in negotiations with the Israeli regime, facilitated by German intermediaries, to address the issue of remaining Lebanese prisoners. Through these negotiations, Hezbollah successfully secured the release of the remaining Lebanese prisoners held by the Israeli regime. In addition, Hezbollah also obtained the bodies of its martyred resistance fighters who had lost their lives during the 33-day war. Furthermore, as part of the agreement, the bodies of other Lebanese and Palestinian martyrs were returned, including Dalal Maghrabi and the 12 members of her group.

Hezbollah's support for Hamas and the Palestinian people intensified the conflict with the Zionist regime. According to the Al-Alam TV channel, during the 133 days following the Al-Aqsa Storm, Hezbollah carried out more than 1,038 operations in defence of Palestine and Hamas against the Zionist regime. On the other hand, the Zionist army assassinated several Hezbollah members and commanders through numerous terrorist attacks.

According to the Tasnim news agency, Lebanon's Hezbollah announced the martyrdom of 316 of its fighters in defence of Palestine from the time of the Al-Aqsa Storm operation to June 2024 (approximately nine months).

On September 17 and 18, the Zionist regime killed and injured nearly three thousand Hezbollah members and Lebanese civilians by detonating wireless communication devices (pager explosions). The Secretary-General of Hezbollah stated in his speech after this incident that the Lebanese Front would not cease until the attacks on Gaza stopped. Additionally, on September 27, the Israeli regime in another terroristic action, assassinated Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the highest official of Hezbollah, by attacking Hezbollah's headquarters in Beirut.

Hezbollah first supported the Syrian government politically and then launched a military intervention in Syria in late 2011 alongside Syrian troops and loyalist militias. The decision to intervene directly on the ground proved the new strategic relationship between the two actors. Hezbollah was a prominent foreign actor, helping the Assad government alongside the Islamic Republic of Iran and Russia. Hezbollah supported Damascus militarily, technically, and logistically against different Syrian armed opposition groups. Hezbollah combatants in Syria were estimated at between 7,000 and 9,000, including elite troops, experts and reservists. Hezbollah has also opened training camps near the city of Baalbek in the Bekaa Valley, near the Syrian border, to train the youth of various religious communities.<ref>[https://www.frstrategie.org/en/programs/observatoire-du-monde-arabo-musulman-et-du-sahel/consequences-hezbollahs-military-intervention-syria-lebanese-shia-population-and-relations-israel-2017 The Consequences of Hezbollah’s military intervention in Syria on the Lebanese Shia population and Relations with Israel]</ref>

Initially, there was relatively little confrontation between Hezbollah and the ISIS militants. Hezbollah tended to operate mainly in western Syria, while ISIS resided in the more lightly populated east. This all changed when ISIS took the war to Hezbollah on November 12, 2014, by deploying a pair of suicide bombers against the Burj al-Barajneh district of southern [[Beirut]]. In this mixed but largely Shia neighbourhood, Hezbollah has a strong presence. The attack killed and wounded scores of civilians. Eager to punish Hezbollah for its Syrian intervention, ISIS promised "the Party of Satan" much more of the same.<ref>[https://www.refworld.org/docid/56a7924c4.html Unwanted Ally: Hezbollah's War Against the Islamic State]</ref>

Hezbollah's war aimed against Sunni extremists was both declared, protecting Shia shrines in Syria and undeclared, the latter including keeping supply lines from [[Iran]] open, preserving the Syrian government, and keeping Sunni extremists (al-Nusra Front) from entering Lebanon. Sayed Hasan Nasrallah claims Zionists and Sunni extremists have the same goal of "destroying our peoples and our societies". As a political party with a strong social welfare arm, Hezbollah's leaders have deftly created a political alliance with Maronite Christian factions, secular Druze, and even Shia of the Amal Movement. Lebanese sources indicate that Hezbollah began recruiting Christians, Druze, and Sunnis for the fight against ISIS in late 2014. According to Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah: "This danger does not recognize Shiites, Sunnis, Muslims, Christians or Druze or Yazidis or Arabs or Kurds".<ref>Jews are notably absent from the Hezbollah leader's list of ethnicities under threat, as Hezbollah considers Israel's Jews to be in league with Islamic State terrorists.</ref> The reluctance of ISIS to strike the Zionist regime only reinforces Hezbollah's belief that there is cooperation between the Regime and the Sunni extremists.

In 1992, Hezbollah debuted in Lebanese elections and secured twelve parliamentary seats. Four years later in 1996, Hezbollah gained ten seats in the Lebanese parliament. In the subsequent elections of 2000, Hezbollah maintained its momentum and secured twelve out of 128 seats. in the general elections of 2005, Hezbollah gained fourteen seats nationwide and formed an alliance with the Amal movement, securing all 23 seats in Southern Lebanon. Hezbollah appointed Muhammad Fneish as the Water and Energy Minister within the cabinet.

  | quick review = done