Edward Kiledjian

The influx of Palestinian refugees into Lebanon began in 1948, following the Arab-Israeli war and the creation of Israel. An estimated 100,000 to 130,000 Palestinians initially fled to Lebanon, settling primarily in refugee camps in the south. Over the subsequent decades, this population grew, reaching between 300,000 and 400,000 by the mid-1970s.

The presence of armed Palestinian groups, particularly after the PLO's expulsion from Jordan in 1970 during Black September, significantly increased tensions in Lebanon. Palestinian militias used southern Lebanon as a base for operations against Israel, leading to frequent Israeli retaliations and contributing to destabilization. This period saw growing friction between Palestinian factions and local Lebanese groups, exacerbating the volatile political landscape.

Hezbollah emerged in 1982, during Lebanon’s civil war, in response to Israel's invasion of southern Lebanon aimed at expelling the PLO. Backed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, Shiite militants formed Hezbollah as an armed resistance to Israeli occupation. Hezbollah's foundation was deeply tied to Iran’s ideological and military support, particularly in Lebanon’s Shiite regions like the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon.

In 1985, Hezbollah issued its manifesto outlining core objectives: the expulsion of Western influences from Lebanon, the destruction of Israel, and the establishment of an Islamic state. However, the group has since evolved politically, moving away from openly calling for an Islamic state and focusing more on integrating into Lebanon’s political system while maintaining its armed resistance against Israel.

Hezbollah's Impact on Lebanon

• Political Influence: Hezbollah now holds significant political power in Lebanon. It has representatives in parliament and often exercises veto power in the government. Following the end of Lebanon’s civil war in 1990 and the Taif Agreement, Hezbollah maintained its armed wing, gaining legitimacy as both a political party and a military force.

• Military Power: Hezbollah’s military wing is considered more formidable than Lebanon’s national army. The 2006 war with Israel further bolstered Hezbollah’s reputation as a powerful non-state actor capable of standing up to Israeli military forces.

• Social Services: Hezbollah provides extensive health, education, and welfare services, especially in Shiite-majority areas such as southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and parts of Beirut. This network has earned the group significant grassroots support.

• Economic Influence: Hezbollah runs a broad network of businesses, financial institutions, and charity organizations, some of which have faced international sanctions due to alleged connections to illicit activities and terrorism.

• Foreign Relations: Hezbollah’s deep ties to Iran and its involvement in regional conflicts, particularly in Syria, where it has supported the Assad regime, have influenced Lebanon’s foreign relations. The group’s role in the Syrian civil war has drawn both praise from its supporters and criticism from opponents, as it deepened Lebanon's entanglement in regional conflicts.

Regional Dynamics and the Syrian Occupation

From 1976 to 2005, Syria maintained a military presence in Lebanon, ostensibly to stabilize the country during and after its civil war. However, Syria’s involvement gave it significant political control over Lebanon, a situation Hezbollah navigated carefully. Hezbollah and Syria maintained a strategic alliance, particularly regarding resistance against Israel. The withdrawal of Syrian forces in 2005, following the Cedar Revolution, shifted the balance of power in Lebanon, further solidifying Hezbollah’s role as a dominant political and military force.

Hezbollah’s involvement in the Syrian civil war (2011–present) on behalf of the Assad regime has had profound implications for Lebanon’s internal and external dynamics. While this intervention reinforced Hezbollah’s ties to Syria and Iran, it also polarized Lebanon’s sectarian divide and complicated the country’s position in the broader Middle Eastern geopolitical landscape.

Conclusion

The arrival of Palestinian refugees and the rise of Hezbollah have profoundly shaped Lebanon’s modern history. While Hezbollah is viewed by its supporters as a legitimate resistance movement and vital service provider, its critics argue that it undermines Lebanese sovereignty and stability. Its continued involvement in regional conflicts and its powerful military presence make Hezbollah a contentious force in Lebanon’s future, with its role in the country’s politics and society remaining a deeply divisive issue.