[20210201]IF10703_黎巴嫩真主党.pdf

https:/crsreports.congress.gov Updated February 1, 2021Lebanese HezbollahOverview Hezbollah (“Party of God”) is an Iran-backed Lebanese Shia militia and U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). Formed in 1982, in the wake of the Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon, the group has described itself as the leader of Islamic resistance to Israel and has conducted numerous attacks against Israeli and Western targets. Hezbollah currently operates regionally as a militia force, while also playing a powerful role as a Lebanese political party and provider of social services. Figure 1. Lebanon Source: Created by CRS. Boundaries from ESRI and U.S. State Department. Leadership Hassan Nasrallah has served as Secretary-General of Hezbollah since the assassination of his predecessor by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in 1992. The groups leadership structure includes an advisory body known as the Shura Council, comprising the heads of the Executive, Political, and Judiciary Councils, as well as two permanent Iranian representatives. According to the U.S. government, the External Security Organization (ESO), the military arm of Hezbollah responsible for the planning, coordination, a