While Washington hosts new direct talks between Lebanon and Israel (a first since the 1993 agreements) a major player is missing from the negotiating table: Hezbollah. The absence of this movement, although central to the Lebanese political and military balance, underlines its decisive weight in any prospect of an agreement, especially since Benjamin Netanyahu conditions the discussions on his disarmament.
Hezbollah, born in war and supported by Iran
Hezbollah was born in 1982in the context of the Lebanese civil war and theIsraeli invasion of Lebanon. Inspired by the Iranian revolution of 1979, the movement benefited from the political, financial and military support of Iran, as well as the logistical support of Syria.
Hezbollah’s initial objective is to resist Israeli occupation from southern Lebanon. He gained popularity by carrying out military operations against Israel, until the Israeli withdrawal in 2000. This role of ” resistance » still constitutes today a central pillar of its legitimacy among part of the Lebanese population.
An essential military power
Over the decades, the Hezbollah develops an armed wing considered as one of the armed groups which do not belong to an official stateTHE most powerful in the world. He has a significant arsenal, including missiles and dronesand a military organization structured.
During the Israeli-Lebanese conflict of 2006, the movement demonstrated its ability to stand up to the Israeli army during more than a month. Since then, it has further strengthened its capabilities, notably by participating in the war in Syria alongside the regime of Bashar al-Assad.
This military power explains why any negotiations involving Lebanon’s security or its relations with Israel cannot ignore Hezbollah.
A central political weight in Lebanon
Hezbollah is not limited to its military role. It imposes itself as a major political actor in Lebanon since its entry into Parliament in 1992. The movement regularly participates in legislative elections and holds seats in the National Assembly. It also takes part in several coalition governments, which allows it to directly influence the country’s political decisions.
In a country marked by a confessional political system, Hezbollah represents a large part of the Lebanese Shiite communityhistorically marginalized. This representation gives it institutional legitimacy which strengthens its influence in national decisions.
A social service that strengthens its roots
Hezbollah also develops a vast network of social services: hospitals, schools, financial aid And reconstruction after conflicts. In some areas it acts as a real Parallel stateparticularly where public institutions are weak.
This social role strongly contributes to its local popularity. It builds loyalty solid support baseby offering essential services in a country regularly faced with economic and political crises.
Hezbollah at the heart of international tensions
Despite its local roots, Hezbollah remains a controversial actor on the international scene. L’European Union distinguishes its political branch from its armed branch, the latter being classified as terrorist organization. The United States considers the movement as a whole to be terrorist.
Its alliance with Iran during the current war and its opposition to Israel make it a key player in regional tensions in the Middle East. It is precisely this dimension which explains his absence from the current talks and the limits of these discussions without him.
