What is Hezbollah? Lebanon political outfit attacks Israel after big Hamas Gaza attack

NEW DELHI: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Sunday that the conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas could be protracted and challenging, as clashes escalated, resulting in a high death toll on both sides.

Amidst the ongoing violence on Sunday, Hezbollah, a formidable Iran-backed group in Lebanon, declared that it had unleashed "a substantial barrage of artillery shells and guided missiles" towards Israeli positions in disputed border regions as a show of support for Hamas.

Earlier, the Israeli military had responded with artillery fire aimed at southern Lebanon, following an unspecified incident from the area, although the assailants were not identified.

Who are Hezbollah and why are they backing Hamas?

Here is everything you need to know about Hezbollah, a political party and militant group classified as a terrorist organization by the United States, Israel, and several other countries.Formation :

• Hezbollah is a Shia Muslim political party and militant group based in Lebanon. It was founded in 1982 during the Lebanese Civil War with the help of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. Over the past 40 years, it has transformed from a shadowy organization into the Middle East's largest and most heavily armed militant group.

Iranian Backing:

• Hezbollah is backed and funded by Iran and plays a significant role in spreading Tehran's influence throughout the Arab world. Hezbollah's support for Hamas is a major concern for Israel. Israel fears that Hezbollah could provide Hamas with advanced weapons and training, which could enable Hamas to launch more sophisticated and deadly attacks against Israel.

Biggest achievement

• Hezbollah's biggest achievement over the past 40 years was its guerrilla war against Israeli forces occupying parts of southern Lebanon. When Israel's army was forced to withdraw in May 2000 without a peace treaty, the victory brought Hezbollah praise from around the Middle East. This victory helped to boost Hezbollah's popularity and influence in the Middle East.

Military Strength:

• Hezbollah has significantly expanded its military capabilities over the years, claiming to have 100,000 well-trained fighters. It possesses precision-guided missiles that can reach anywhere in Israel and advanced drones for both offensive and reconnaissance purposes.

Regional Military Involvement:

• Hezbollah has been involved in military interventions in Iraq and Syria, including aiding President Bashar Assad's forces in Syria's civil war.