Hezbollah
In short
Hezbollah is a Lebanese Shia Islamist political party and militant group currently engaged in the 2026 Lebanon war. Its paramilitary activities have been prohibited by the Lebanese government since March 2026.
In plain words
It is a powerful group in Lebanon that acts as both a political party and a private army. While it holds seats in parliament, its military wing operates independently and is currently involved in a major conflict.
A simple example
A member might vote for the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc in a national election, while another member might serve in the Jihad Council paramilitary wing.
Why it matters
The group possesses military strength comparable to a medium-sized national army. Its actions and political influence significantly impact the stability of Lebanon and the wider Middle East.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse the political party with the Lebanese government, which has officially prohibited the group's military activities.