What to know about Hezbollah’s rise, wars and weapons as Beirut mulls disarmament
Lebanon's government is discussing Hezbollah's disarmament under US pressure, while Israel continues attacks on the group. Hezbollah rejects disarmament demands, viewing them as serving Israeli interests. Formed by Iran's Revolutionary Guards in 1982, Hezbollah retained its weapons after Lebanon's civil war and the 2000 Israeli withdrawal. Its arsenal and influence grew significantly, with involvement in conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and support for Hamas. The group, now a key part of the 'Axis of Resistance', became involved in the 2023 Gaza war following Hamas's attack on Israel.