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What is Hezbollah in Lebanon and will it go to war with Israel? What is Hezbollah and why is Israel attacking Lebanon?
(6 days later)
Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah is a Shia cleric who has led Hezbollah since 1992 Israeli air strikes against the armed group Hezbollah have killed hundreds of people in Lebanon, in the deadliest escalation of cross-border attacks in decades.
Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah is a Shia cleric who has led Hezbollah since 1992 Hezbollah has responded by firing hundreds of rockets into northern Israel, as fears grow that fighting sparked by the war in Gaza could lead to an all-out regional conflict.
Twenty five people were killed and at least 600 injured in Lebanon on Wednesday when walkie-talkies used by members of the armed group Hezbollah exploded, the country's health ministry says.
The blasts followed a series of pager explosions the previous day which killed 12 and injured more than 2,000.
Hezbollah has blamed Israel for the attacks. Cross-border fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has significantly escalated over the past 11 months, sparked by the war in Gaza.
Israel has not responded directly to the explosions, but on Wednesday Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant announced "a new phase in the war", and on Thursday the Israeli military said it was carrying out fresh strikes against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
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What we know about the explosions What is Hezbollah and has it fought Israel before?
What we know about the explosions Hezbollah is an influential Shia Muslim political party and armed group.
Video captures Beirut skyline as devices explode across city It has a significant presence in both the Lebanese parliament and government, and controls the most powerful armed force in the country.
Video captures Beirut skyline as devices explode across city Hezbollah rose to prominence in the 1980s in opposition to Israel, whose forces had occupied southern Lebanon during the country's 1975-1990 civil war.
From Taiwan to Hungary, a complex picture emerges of the pagers' origins It has received strong backing from Iran, both financially and militarily, for many years. It is also a strong ally of the Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.
From Taiwan to Hungary, a complex picture emerges of the pagers' origins Hezbollah's armed wing has carried out deadly attacks on Israeli and US forces in Lebanon.
No electronic equipment considered safe after Lebanon device attacks When Israeli troops withdrew from Lebanon in 2000, Hezbollah took credit for pushing them out and continues to oppose Israel's presence in disputed border areas.
No electronic equipment considered safe after Lebanon device attacks
What is Hezbollah and where does it operate?
Hezbollah is a politically-influential Shia Muslim organisation which controls the most powerful armed force in Lebanon.
It was established in the early 1980s by the region's most dominant Shia power, Iran, to oppose Israel. At the time, Israel's forces had occupied southern Lebanon during the country's civil war.
Hezbollah has participated in national elections since 1992 and has become a major political presence.
Its armed wing has carried out deadly attacks on Israeli and US forces in Lebanon. When Israeli troops withdrew from Lebanon in 2000, Hezbollah took credit for pushing them out.
Since then, Hezbollah has maintained thousands of fighters and a huge missile arsenal in southern Lebanon. It continues to oppose Israel's presence in disputed border areas.
The group is designated a terrorist organisation by Western states, Israel, Gulf Arab countries and the Arab League.
In 2006, a full-blown war broke out between Hezbollah and Israel, triggered by a deadly cross-border raid by Hezbollah.In 2006, a full-blown war broke out between Hezbollah and Israel, triggered by a deadly cross-border raid by Hezbollah.
Israeli troops invaded southern Lebanon to try to eliminate the threat from Hezbollah. However, it survived and has since increased its number of fighters and obtained new and better weapons. Israeli troops invaded southern Lebanon to try to eliminate the threat from Hezbollah. About 1,000 civilians were killed during the conflict but Hezbollah claimed victory and has since increased its number of fighters and upgraded its weapons.
The group is designated as a terrorist organisation by Western states, Israel and Gulf Arab states.
How much political support does Hezbollah have?
Hezbollah has participated in Lebanon's national elections since 1992 and has become a major political power.
The group and its allies lost their majority in parliament in the 2022 election, but a new government has not been formed since then and it continues to have ministers in the caretaker administration.
Lebanon is deeply divided over Hezbollah. While the group enjoys substantial popular support, many opponents accuse it of involvement in political corruption and oppose its military capabilities, viewing them as a significant factor in the country's ongoing conflicts.
As a powerful political entity, Hezbollah also operates schools, hospitals, cultural institutions and charities across Lebanon.
Damage, destruction and fear along the Israel-Lebanon borderDamage, destruction and fear along the Israel-Lebanon border
Damage, destruction and fear along the Israel-Lebanon borderDamage, destruction and fear along the Israel-Lebanon border
Who is Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah? How strong are Hezbollah's forces?
Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah is a Shia cleric who has led Hezbollah since 1992. Hezbollah has thousands of fighters and a huge missile arsenal in southern Lebanon.
He played a key role in turning it into a political, as a well as a military, force. It is one of the most heavily-armed, non-state military forces in the world. It is funded and equipped by Iran.
He has close links with Iran and its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The organisation has claimed it has 100,000 fighters, although independent estimates put the number between 20,000 and 50,000.
Nasrallah has not appeared in public for years, reportedly for fear of being assassinated by Israel.
However, he remains revered by Hezbollah, and delivers televised speeches every week.
How powerful are Hezbollah's forces?
Hezbollah is one of the most heavily-armed, non-state military forces in the world. It is funded and equipped by Iran.
Hassan Nasrallah has claimed that the organisation has 100,000 fighters, although independent estimates put the number between 20,000 and 50,000.
Many are well-trained and battle-hardened, and have fought in the Syrian civil war.Many are well-trained and battle-hardened, and have fought in the Syrian civil war.
Lebanese civilians say their homes have been hit by Israel as it responds to Hezbollah rocketsLebanese civilians say their homes have been hit by Israel as it responds to Hezbollah rockets
Lebanese civilians say their homes have been hit by Israel as it responds to Hezbollah rocketsLebanese civilians say their homes have been hit by Israel as it responds to Hezbollah rockets
Hezbollah has an estimated 120,000-200,000 rockets and missiles, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank, external.Hezbollah has an estimated 120,000-200,000 rockets and missiles, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank, external.
Most of its arsenal is made up of small, unguided, surface-to-surface artillery rockets.Most of its arsenal is made up of small, unguided, surface-to-surface artillery rockets.
But it also thought to have anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles, as well as guided missiles capable of striking deep inside Israel.But it also thought to have anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles, as well as guided missiles capable of striking deep inside Israel.
It has much more sophisticated weapons at its disposal than Hamas does in Gaza.It has much more sophisticated weapons at its disposal than Hamas does in Gaza.
What is happening in Israel and Gaza, and what is Hamas?What is happening in Israel and Gaza, and what is Hamas?
What is happening in Israel and Gaza, and what is Hamas?What is happening in Israel and Gaza, and what is Hamas?
The Israel-Palestinian conflictThe Israel-Palestinian conflict
The Israel-Palestinian conflictThe Israel-Palestinian conflict
Could Hezbollah go to war with Israel? Who is Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah?
The previously sporadic fighting escalated on 8 October 2023 - the day after the unprecedented attack on Israel by Hamas gunmen from Gaza - when Hezbollah fired at Israeli positions, in solidarity with the Palestinians. Hassan Nasrallah is a Shia cleric who has led Hezbollah since 1992.
Since then, the group has launched more than 8,000 rockets at northern Israel and Israeli positions on the Golan Heights, fired anti-tank missiles at armoured vehicles, and attacked military targets with explosive drones. He played a key role in turning it into a political, as a well as a military, force.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have retaliated, using air strikes and tank and artillery fire against Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. He has close links with Iran and its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Lebanon's health ministry says at least 589 people have been killed since October 2023. Most of them were Hezbollah fighters, but at least 137 were civilians, according to the ministry. Hassan Nasrallah is a Shia cleric who has led Hezbollah since 1992
In Israel, authorities say at least 25 civilians and 21 soldiers have been killed as a direct result of attacks. Hassan Nasrallah is a Shia cleric who has led Hezbollah since 1992
Almost 200,000 people have also been displaced on both sides of the border. Nasrallah has not appeared in public for years, reportedly for fear of being assassinated by Israel.
Despite the fighting, observers say that up till now both sides have aimed to contain hostilities without crossing the line into full-scale war. But there are fears that the situation could spiral out of control. However, he remains revered by Hezbollah, and delivers televised speeches every week.
Those fears soared after the killing of 12 children in a rocket attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on 27 July. Israel said Hezbollah carried out the attack, but the group denied involvement. Hezbollah leader says exploding device attacks crossed 'all red lines'
Hezbollah leader says exploding device attacks crossed 'all red lines'
No electronic equipment considered safe after Lebanon device attacks
No electronic equipment considered safe after Lebanon device attacks
How has the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel escalated?
Previously sporadic fighting escalated on 8 October 2023 - the day after the unprecedented attack on Israel by Hamas gunmen that triggered the war in Gaza.
Hezbollah fired at Israeli positions, in solidarity with the Palestinians.
The group has since launched more than 8,000 rockets at northern Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. It has also fired anti-tank missiles at armoured vehicles and attacked military targets with explosive drones.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has retaliated with air strikes and tank and artillery fire against Hezbollah positions in Lebanon.
More than 70,000 people have been displaced by the fighting in northern Israel, while more than 110,000 have been displaced on the Lebanese side of the border.
Tensions soared after the killing of 12 children and young people in a rocket attack in the Golan Heights on 27 July. Israel said Hezbollah carried out the attack, but the group denied involvement.
On 30 July, the IDF announced that it had killed senior Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in an air strike in Beirut's southern suburbs.On 30 July, the IDF announced that it had killed senior Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in an air strike in Beirut's southern suburbs.
The following day, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Iran's capital, Tehran. Israel neither confirmed nor denied any involvement.The following day, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Iran's capital, Tehran. Israel neither confirmed nor denied any involvement.
Ever since, the region has been waiting for a response from Hezbollah and Iran, both of whom vowed to retaliate against Israel. On 25 August, the IDF said its jets had pre-emptively struck thousands of Hezbollah rocket launchers, after identifying that the group was preparing an attack in retaliation for the killing of Fuad Shukr.
The US is hoping to de-escalate tensions by brokering a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, and is putting pressure on Israel and Hamas. Hezbollah has said it will only stop the hostilities once the fighting in Gaza ends. Hezbollah said it still managed to launch hundreds of rockets and drones at Israel. However, it did not target major cities in Israel and did not deploy its more sophisticated weapons.
There was another significant escalation on 17 and 18 September, when 39 people were killed and thousands wounded after pagers and walkie-talkies used by members of Hezbollah exploded.
Hassan Nasrallah blamed Israel for the attacks and said they had "crossed all red lines". Israel neither confirmed nor denied being behind the blasts.
Hezbollah suffered another setback on 20 September, when at least 16 members, including top military commanders Ibrahim Aqil and Ahmed Wahbi, were killed in an Israeli air strike in Beirut's southern suburbs. Those killed also included children and other civilians.
Two days later, the group sought revenge for Aqil's death by firing longer-range weapons deep inside Israel, sending thousands of Israelis to bomb shelters and damaging homes near the city of Haifa.
Lebanon's health ministry said at least 613 people had been killed as of 20 September - before the IDF carried out hundreds of air strikes as part of a new "offensive operation". Most of those killed since October were believed to be Hezbollah fighters, but at least 147 were civilians, according to the ministry.
In Israel, authorities say at least 49 people have been killed as a direct result of attacks.
Related topicsRelated topics
Israel-Gaza warIsrael-Gaza war
IsraelIsrael
HezbollahHezbollah
LebanonLebanon