The streets emptied in Lebanon on November 3. People watched their screens. In Israel and elsewhere across the Middle East, leaders listened closely. Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Hezbollah terrorist group, gave a speech. Viewers watched for the answer to a world-changing question: Will Hezbollah join the war between Israel and Hamas?
On October 7, the Islamist group Hamas launched a deadly surprise attack on Israel. Soon after, Israel declared war on Hamas. Reports claim that more than 1,400 Israelis and more than 10,500 Palestinians have been killed.
Hamas isn’t Israel’s only problem. Since the war began, Hezbollah soldiers have skirmished with Israeli troops along the Lebanese border. Hezbollah hasn’t officially joined the war. But the group’s involvement would expand the conflict beyond Israel and the Gaza Strip. That’s why world leaders listened so closely to Nasrallah’s speech.
Nasrallah’s Friday speech didn’t quell any concerns. It didn’t confirm the worst, either.
“Some say I’m going to announce that we have entered the battle,” he said. “We already entered the battle on October 8.” But he stopped short of saying that Hezbollah would more fully join the fight.
Hezbollah is the most powerful paramilitary force in the Middle East. The Shiite Muslim militia first appeared in Lebanon in 1982. It formed to push Israel out of southern Lebanon. It finally achieved that goal in 2000. Members also carried out attacks against U.S. and other Western targets. Based on such actions, many countries classify Hezbollah as a terrorist group.
Hezbollah doesn’t work alone. It receives support from Iran. Iran uses Hezbollah to spread its extreme political brand of Islam. Hezbollah’s involvement in the war would mean Iran’s involvement. Hamas would gain a strong ally with powerful connections.
Will Hezbollah fully join the fight? That remains uncertain. Lebanon’s economy already struggles. A new war would drain its resources. That might lead to greater opposition to Hezbollah from within. But if Hezbollah does nothing while Israel defeats Hamas, the group might appear weak.
The Middle East is in a complex, divisive, and tragic situation. Thousands of people suffer. Yet we know that God is in control. He is all-seeing and compassionate. Ask Him to cover our broken world with His perfect peace.
The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He frustrates the plans of the peoples. — Psalm 33:10
