Its singular aim is to wipe Israel off the face of Earth, but what is Hezbollah?

Most of the world fears further escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with the entry of several actors. Hezbollah is most likely to get involved. What is behind the name that has been frequently mentioned in recent days, how big is the Lebanese paramilitary organization and what threat does it pose to Israel? The author sought answers to these questions in this article.

Kfar Kila, 2023. október 9. A Palesztin Állam és a Hezbollah radikális libanoni síita szervezet zászlóit lengeti egy férfi libanoni katonák elõtt az izraeli-libanoni határon fekvõ Kfar Kilában 2023. október 9-én. A Gázai övezetet irányító Hamász palesztin iszlamista szervezet október 7-én többfrontos támadást indított Izrael ellen, több mint 800 izraeli életét vesztette, a Hamász elleni izraeli válaszcsapások halálos áldozatainak száma a Gázai övezetben 500, a sebesülteké meghaladja a háromezret. Az izraeli hadsereg ellencsapásokat hajtott végre a libanoni határnál is. MTI/AP/Mohammed Zaatari Fotó: Mohammed Zaatari

Why does it pose a threat?

Hezbollah has fought Israel in several wars, most recently in 2006, during which more than 1100 Lebanese and 165 Israelis were killed. The organization's involvement in the conflict with greater forces now could easily lead to further escalation and a geographical expansion of the war.

The chance is there, as Hamas and Hezbollah are not much different in that both aim to destroy Israel — just like Iran, sponsoring them.

A widening conflict would also have a negative impact on Europe: millions of people would flee the region, increasing migratory pressure and the terrorist threat, which has already risen to very high levels in recent days.

Cover photo: A man flies the flags of the State of Palestine and the Lebanese Shiite militant organization Hezbollah in front of Lebanese soldiers in Kfar Kila on the Israeli-Lebanese border on October 9, 2023 (Photo: MTI/AP/Mohammed Zaatari)