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HIZBULLAH IDF

Spokesman - June 6, 1994 

The Hizbullah is an umbrella organization of various radical Shi'ite
groups and organizations which adhere to a Khomeinistic ideology. The
organization was established following the 1982 Peace for Galilee War
in Lebanon (and an increased Iranian presence and influence in
Lebanon). The Hizbullah organization was established as an
organizational body for Shi'ite fundamentalists, led by religious
clerics, who see in the adoption of Iranian doctrine a solution to the
Lebanese political malaise. This included the use of terror as a means
of attaining political objectives.  Toward the end of 1982 Iran sent
fighters from its 'Iranian Revolutionary Guards' in order to assist in
the establishment of a revolutionary Islamic movement in Lebanon whose
members would participate in the 'Jihad', Holy War, against
Israel. These forces, which were located in the area of Ba'albek in
the northern Beqa'a valley, bestowed on the area an Iranian-Islamic
character and constituted the core of the Hizbullah organization in
Lebanon. The organization maintains a training apparatus in Lebanon
throughout the villages and their surroundings, as well as outside of
Lebanon. Training is aimed at building a reliable manpower source for
its military forces as well as for its terror arm. The spiritual
father of the movement in Lebanon is Sheikh Muhammed Hussein Fadlallah
who acts as chief Mujtahid - arbiter of Islamic law - of the Shi'ite
community in Lebanon. With the passage of time, Hizbullah has turned
into an organization of secondary level groups working on the local
level led by regional functionaries.

IDEOLOGY

The ideological basis of Hizbullah is Khomeinism and its principle
goal is the establishment of a pan-Islamic republic headed by
religious clerics. The organization's world view was first published
in its political platform in February 1985, as follows: * The solution
to Lebanon's problems is the establishment of an Islamic republic, as
only this type of regime can secure justice and equality for all of
Lebanon's citizen's. * The Hizbullah organization views as an
important goal the fight against 'western imperialism' and its
eradication from Lebanon. The group strives for complete American and
French withdrawal from Lebanon, including all their institutions. *
The conflict with Israel is viewed as a central concern. This is not
only limited to the IDF presence in Lebanon. Rather, the complete
destruction of the State of Israel and the establishment of Islamic
rule over Jerusalem is an expressed goal.  Part of this radical
ideology is the group's militant approach using terror as a means of
attaining its goals. Hizbullah decries the existence of Israel ('the
little Satan'), viewed as foreign to the region and which constitutes
a threat to Islam and Muslims. The destruction of Israel and the
liberation of Jerusalem is deemed a religious obligation.  The
Hizbullah organization justifies the use of terror against these
enemies as a weapon in the hands of the weak and oppressed against the
strong aggressor. In an effort to act upon and realise the
predetermined ideological lines the group's leaders actively plan and
perpetrate terror attacks against IDF and SLA forces, preach religious
extremism against Israel and disseminate Iranian ideology. The
Hizbullah extends the conflict into Israeli territory and does not
restrict its struggle to areas in Lebanon. With the signing of the
'Ta'if Agreement' (1989) and the beginning of the 'Syrian arrangement
in Lebanon, the Hizbullah has been forced to conform to Syrian
dictates. The Syrian interest in the continuation of terrorist attacks
in South Lebanon has enabled the Hizbollah to maintain its unique
status in the Lebanese arena as the only major military force yet to
be disarmed. The Syrians have prevented the Lebanese government from
harming the military capabilities of the Hizbullah, under the pretext
of opposing the Israeli occupation, while at the same time enforcing
their dictates upon the organization during periods when they are
interested in calming the situation in southern Lebanon (as was the
case following 'Operation Accountability in July 1993 or the period
coinciding with the Assad-Clinton meeting in January 1994).

THE SPREAD OF HIZBULLAH INTO SOUTHERN LEBANON

As the organizational infrastructure developed, Hizbullah, with
Iranian and Syrian assistance, began to establish an extensive
military network in the Ba'albek area. Its militias have since spread
into the Shi'ite neighborhoods in southern and western Beirut as well
as into southern Lebanon. This network is the principle base of
Hizbullah activities as well as for those of other radical Shi'ite
groups. Thousands of Hizbullah activists and members are located in
the Beqa'a valley, Beirut and southern Lebanon. These areas also offer
a base for the recruitment of additional activists and fighters among
the local Shi'ite populations. Following the IDF withdrawal from
Lebanon in 1985 the Hizbollah organization consolidated itself. The
consolidation included the establishment of storage depots for
weapons, recruitment of activists and fighters, and widespread aid to
residents in S. Lebanon, such as the donation of money, equipment,
medical supplies, etc. The purpose of the aid was to gain the support
of the local population in favour of the organizations activities in
the South.

ATTACKS AND TERRORISM 

Using cover names such as 'Islamic Jihad', 'The Revolutionary Justice
Organization' and 'The Islamic Resistance', with the blessings of its
religious leaders, Hizbullah has carried out a series of high profile
attacks against Israeli targets in southern Lebanon and American and
Multinational Forces targets in Lebanon. Only later did their attacks
become more intensive as well as demonstrating better planning,
especially immediately prior to the opening of the peace process. In
1991, the Hizbullah was responsible for 52 attacks, as compared to 19
attacks the organization carried out in 1990. In 1992, the Hizbollah
launched 63 attacks and in 1993, 158 attacks, when during the course
of 'Operation Accountability' they fired hundreds of Katyusha rockets
into the Security Zone and Israeli territory. .