Origins and Evolution of Hezbollah

Hezbollah was formed primarily as a response to the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon, beginning with the 1982 invasion. Initially, it operated as a militant group focused on expelling Israeli forces from Lebanon, successfully pushing them south of the Litani River. Over the years, Hezbollah transitioned from a guerrilla movement to a political party, especially after the Lebanese Civil War concluded in the 1990s. This evolution allowed Hezbollah to gain political power while still maintaining its armed resistance, distinguishing it from other Islamic movements in the region.