Conclusion

Hezbollah and Israel have a long history of conflict dating back to the early 1980s. Here are some of the key conflicts and events in their tumultuous relationship:

Emergence and Early Conflicts

Hezbollah emerged in 1982 in response to Israel’s invasion of Lebanon. The group quickly became a formidable guerrilla force, providing protection to southern Shia communities and challenging Israeli presence in Lebanon.

Major Confrontations

1993 Operation Accountability: Israel launched a seven-day offensive against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, resulting in disproportionate civilian casualties.

1996 April Aggression:

A 17-day Israeli offensive against Hezbollah included the Qana massacre, where Israeli shelling of a UN compound killed over 100 civilians, including 37 children.

2000 Israeli Withdrawal:

Israel completed its withdrawal from southern Lebanon without a peace treaty, which Hezbollah framed as a victory.

2006 July War

The most significant conflict between Hezbollah and Israel occurred in July 2006:

Triggered by Hezbollah’s capture of two Israeli soldiers

Resulted in a 34-day war with extensive Israeli bombardment of Lebanon

Over 1,000 Lebanese were killed, and about 1 million were displaced

Hezbollah fought the Israeli Defense Forces to a standstill, enhancing its reputation in the Arab world

Recent Escalations

2023-2024 Gaza Conflict:

Hezbollah began launching rockets into Israel in solidarity with Hamas after the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel

Israel retaliated with airstrikes and targeted assassinations of Hezbollah leaders

The conflict has led to hundreds of casualties and displaced tens of thousands on both sides

September 2024 Pager Attack:

A series of explosions in pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah operatives killed dozens and injured thousands

Hezbollah blamed Israel for the attack and vowed retaliation

Ongoing Tensions

The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel remains volatile, with frequent cross-border exchanges and the potential for further escalation. Both sides have warned of heavier attacks, raising fears of a possible all-out war that could destabilize the entire region.