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Since the 1990s, Hezbollah has grown into a significant political force in Lebanon. The group operates a vast social services network, including schools and hospitals, and runs a satellite TV station, [[Al-Manar]]. Politically, Hezbollah’s [[Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc]] holds 15 seats in the Lebanese Parliament, making it a powerful player in Lebanon’s government.<ref name="deeb-hzb-a-primer2">{{cite web |last=Deeb |first=Lara |date=31 July 2006 |title=Hizballah: A Primer |url=http://www.merip.org/mero/mero073106 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019062730/http://merip.org/mero/mero073106 |archive-date=19 October 2011}}</ref> However, the group’s influence has led to growing domestic criticism. Following the [[2020 Beirut explosion|2020 Beirut port explosion]], Hezbollah was accused of obstructing efforts to hold those responsible accountable, contributing to a decline in public trust. A 2024 Arab Barometer survey found that 55% of Lebanese have "no trust at all" in Hezbollah, although it remains popular among the Shia population.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stroul |first=Dana |date=2024-09-23 |title=Israel and Hezbollah Are Escalating Toward Catastrophe |url=https://www.foreignaffairs.com/israel/israel-and-hezbollah-are-escalating-toward-catastrophe |access-date=2024-09-29 |work=Foreign Affairs}}</ref>
Despite calls for disarmament under [[United Nations Security Council]] resolutions, Hezbollah has expanded its military capabilities. Its armed wing is now considered stronger than the [[Lebanese Armed Forces]],<ref name="NYT052020132">{{cite news |last=Barnard |first=Anne |date=20 May 2013 |title=Hezbollah's Role in Syria War Shakes the Lebanese |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/21/world/middleeast/syria-developments.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 |access-date=20 June 2013 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> making it one of the most powerful non-state actors in the world. Hezbollah leader [[Hassan Nasrallah]] declared in 2021 that the group had 100,000 fighters.<ref>{{Cite news |last=El Deeb |first=Sarah |date=18 October 2021 |title=Hezbollah leader declares his group has 100,000 fighters |url=https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-lebanon-beirut-civil-wars-hassan-nasrallah-a3c10d99cca2ef1c3d58dae135297025 |access-date=21 October 2021 |work=Associated Press News}}</ref> Hezbollah has been involved in several high-profile attacks; it is believed to be responsible for the [[1983 US embassy bombing in Beirut|bombing of the US embassy]] and the [[1983 Beirut barracks bombings|American and French barracks]] bombings in Beirut in 1983. Hezbollah has been regarded as a [[resistance movement]] by some scholars,
== History ==
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