Down but not out: In war with Israel, Hezbollah shows it is still powerful

Features|Israel attacks LebanonDown but not out: In war with Israel, Hezbollah shows it is still powerfulDespite setbacks, Hezbollah emerges as a key player, tied to Lebanon’s stability and US-Iran negotiations.ListenListen (8 mins)SaveClick here to share on social mediashare-nodesSharefacebookxwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogleAdd Al Jazeera on GoogleinfoAn image of slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed by Israel in 2024, is seen, as Hezbollah supporters gather for a solidarity rally against the United States and Israel, in Beirut’s southern suburbs, on April 25, 2026 [AFP]By Justin SalhaniPublished On 28 Apr 202628 Apr 2026Beirut, Lebanon – When Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire in November 2024, the popular perception was that the pro-Iranian Lebanese group was a spent force.At the time, an intensification of Israel’s war on Lebanon had eliminated much of the group’s senior leadership, including longtime Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, and the Israeli military had invaded the country’s south.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Hezbollah and Israel swap threats and strikes across Lebanon’s borderlist 2 of 3Analysis: Bennett-Lapid alliance attempt to unseat Israel’s Netanyahulist 3 of 3Lebanon cannot be bombed into sovereigntyend of listAt the governmental level, Lebanon began discussing the group’s full disarmament, while debates raged inside the country over Hezbollah’s future as both a military and political power.However, Hezbollah is now back on the battlefield, fighting Israel in southern Lebanon, and appears not to be as degraded a fighting force as many believed.Analysts told Al Jazeera that the group’s fortunes seem to have turned, but that its future is still unclear and is likely tied to the negotiations between Washington and Tehran, primarily focused on ending the US-Israel war on Iran and the standoff in the Strait of Hormuz.Hezbollah still strongFollowing the November 2024 “ceasefire”, Israel continued to periodically attack Lebanon, at a lower intensity, for the next 15 months, killing hundreds of people. Hezbollah avoided responding until March 2, days after US-Israeli strikes assassinated Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a figure held in high esteem by the Lebanese Shia group.The Lebanese government banned Hezbollah’s military activity on the same day. Still, Israel intensified its attacks, including in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, expanded its invasion and occupation of Lebanese territory, and displaced more than 1.2 million residents. A cessation of hostilities was announced by US President Donald Trump on April 16 for 10 days, which was then expanded to three weeks. Still, intense fighting continues in southern Lebanon. Advertisement Hezbollah has said it will not accept a one-sided ceasefire this time around, whereby Israel attacks its members and infrastructure and the group does not respond.On Monday, a Hezbollah military leader told Al Jazeera that the group would return to conducting suicide operations on Israeli targets in Lebanese territory, a practice it had deployed in the 1980s but has stayed away from in recent years or wars.And analysts said Hezbollah’s demise had been overstated.“Although many people said that Hezbollah was defeated, it is clear that Hezbollah is still strong and succeeded in realigning its ranks,” Kassem Kassir, a Lebanese journalist close to Hezbollah, told Al Jazeera.Nicholas Blanford, a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council and…

This excerpt is published under fair use for community discussion. Read the full article at Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera.