Hezbollah is considered to be the most heavily armed non-state actor in the world and has been involved in various malicious activities for over 40 years, targeting American and Israeli interests. The organization was formed in 1982 under Iran’s sponsorship to export the Islamic Revolution and has carried out numerous violent attacks globally. In Lebanon, Hezbollah has acted as a de facto military power in the southern and eastern regions, exerting influence and control over the local population.
The formation of Hezbollah can be traced back to the unstable political climate of the late 1970s, with events such as the overthrow of the shah of Iran by Ayatollah Khomeini and the spillover of conflict into Lebanon. The organization’s violent acts began with attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Beirut in 1983 and the bombing of U.S. and French Marine barracks later that year. Over the years, Hezbollah extended its reach to carry out bombings in various countries, targeting Jewish communities and other perceived enemies.
Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon escalated in 2005 when the organization assassinated the country’s Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and engaged in a war with Israel by kidnapping soldiers along the border. The conflict resulted in Hezbollah using hundreds of rockets to target Israeli civilians, causing widespread destruction and displacement. The organization’s continued aggression against Israel has further strained relations between the two countries and raised concerns over regional stability.
Hezbollah’s recent attacks against Israel, which began in 2023, have intensified the conflict, causing casualties and displacement of civilians. The organization’s allegiance to Hamas terrorists and use of missiles and drones have led to a significant escalation of violence in the region. The U.S. and Western nations are urged to support Israel in defeating and demilitarizing Hezbollah to restore peace and security in the region.
The ongoing conflict with Hezbollah underscores the need for a comprehensive strategy to address the organization’s threats and restore stability in the region. Empowering Israel to take decisive action against Hezbollah and transferring control back to the Lebanese people and their armed forces are key objectives for the U.S. and its allies. By defeating Hezbollah and eliminating its violent activities, American and other lives can be protected from the organization’s malicious actions.
Bassem Eid, a Palestinian human rights activist living in the West Bank, emphasizes the urgent need to defeat Hezbollah, describing the organization as a violent hate group that must be stopped. The views expressed in the article highlight the destructive impact of Hezbollah’s actions and the importance of international cooperation to address the ongoing conflict and restore peace in the region.
