Hezbollah, a Shiite organization founded in 1985, now effectively constitutes a “state within a state” in Lebanon, with the government unable to control its movements.

Members of armed groups in Lebanon say they are forced to take up arms in order to protect their country, as the government does not do so.

Nearly 3,000 civilians, women and children, have lost their lives, while more than one million people have been displaced from southern Lebanon.

Lebanon, facing endless wars, civil conflicts, and economic collapse, is struggling to survive.

The unknown story of Hezbollah in Lebanon: Two worlds, one country held hostage
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Hezbollah in Arabic means “Party of God” and is a Shiite organization founded in 1985 during the civil war, with the aim of serving as the first—and perhaps only—line of defense against Israeli tanks.

Four decades later, it has effectively become a “country within the country” of Lebanon, with the government watching the actions of the Iran-backed organization and being unable, in practice, to do anything about it.

Protothema.gr spoke with members of armed groups in Lebanon, who say they are forced to take up arms because their government does not protect their country. “We need an army that can protect us. We do not want to lose our weapons. We want to stay here, on this land, defend our country, and live in peace,” one of the young men says, breaking the silence of these groups at a secret location amid deadly clashes with the IDF.

The unknown story of Hezbollah in Lebanon: Two worlds, one country held hostage

The real victims—as in all cases—are civilians. Women and children are among a death toll reaching nearly 3,000, while those displaced from southern Lebanon exceed one million. Lebanon, the “Switzerland of the Middle East,” is trying to survive through endless wars, civil conflicts, and economic collapse.