Hezbollah
Origins, Structure, and Regional Role
Hezbollah (Arabic: "Party of God") is a Lebanese Shia militant organisation and political party founded in 1982 with Iranian support following Israel's invasion of Lebanon. It is designated as a terrorist organisation by the US, EU, UK, and several Arab states, though not by the United Nations as a whole. Hezbollah emerged as the primary non-state armed actor in Lebanon, maintaining a weapons arsenal that — prior to the 2024 war — included an estimated 150,000 rockets and missiles. The 2024 war significantly degraded Hezbollah's military capacity, killing most of its senior leadership including Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah.
- Founded: 1982, following Israel's invasion of Lebanon; Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) provided training and funding
- Primary backer: Iran; also backed by Syria (Assad era)
- Political wing: holds seats in Lebanese parliament and cabinet; part of coalition governments
- Military wing: designated terrorist by US, EU, UK, Canada, Australia
- Key leaders killed in 2024: Hassan Nasrallah (Secretary-General, killed September 27, 2024), Fuad Shukr, and other senior commanders
- Estimated rocket arsenal before 2024 war: ~150,000; significantly reduced by Israeli strikes
- UN Resolution 1701 (2006): established ceasefire after 2006 Lebanon war; called for Hezbollah disarmament — never implemented
● Tracked since February 21, 2026 · last seen June 27, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes