Amidst rising concerns of the Israel-Hamas conflict escalating into neighboring Lebanon, the Arab League has taken a significant step by revoking the terrorist designation of Hezbollah. This decision, announced in 2016, marks a notable shift in the Arab League’s policy, potentially opening channels of communication with the powerful Lebanon-based, Iran-backed organization.
Hezbollah, known for its extensive control over territories in Lebanon and its considerable political influence, has been engaged in near-daily clashes with Israel since the October 7th attack on Israel. The group has heightened its actions in recent weeks, raising fears of a full-fledged war. Thousands of Israelis have been displaced in the country’s north, and cross-border fire exchanges have escalated significantly. While the United States and other nations are actively working to prevent a wider conflict, the Arab League’s move suggests a possible attempt to engage with Hezbollah directly.
The Arab League’s Assistant Secretary General, Hossam Zaki, explained the rationale behind the revocation, highlighting the previous designation’s impact on communication. “In earlier Arab League decisions, Hezbollah was designated as a terrorist organization. This terminology was reflected in our resolutions and led to the severing of our communication with them [Hezbollah]. Member states of the Arab League have now agreed that this approach no longer applies,” Zaki stated. He further clarified that the Arab League does not maintain a formal list of terrorist organizations, implying that the 2016 designation was an ad-hoc measure aligning with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which had similarly labeled Hezbollah a terrorist entity.
The Arab League’s decision must be viewed within the broader regional context. Anti-Israel sentiment in the Arab world has intensified following the devastating impact of the war on the Gaza Strip. While Arab governments express frustration with Hamas and Hezbollah, they are simultaneously under pressure to avoid appearing soft on Israel or overly harsh on groups perceived as resisting Israeli actions.
The Arab League’s decision can also be seen as a strategic move to facilitate communication. By removing the terrorist label, the organization can directly engage with Hezbollah and potentially contribute to de-escalation efforts and regional stability.
This development coincides with a growing trend of normalization with Iran and Syria in the region. Last year, the Arab League readmitted Syria after a twelve-year hiatus due to the ongoing civil war. Hezbollah had actively intervened in Syria in support of President Bashar al-Assad, and the 2016 terrorist designation was partly driven by regional opposition to Iranian support for Assad’s regime. With the Syrian conflict largely settled in Assad’s favor and Saudi Arabia-Iran relations improving, the context that led to Hezbollah’s designation has shifted considerably.
Middle East analyst Seth Frantzman highlighted the potential for an Israel-Hezbollah war as a driving factor in the Arab League’s move. “The overall context here is that the region is concerned about possible war. Countries are considering asking their citizens to leave, and reports say some countries, such as Saudi Arabia, are already urging citizens to leave Lebanon. The Kingdom of Jordan has also advised citizens against travel there,” Frantzman noted in an article for The Jerusalem Post.
Hezbollah, a prominent member of the Iran-backed ‘Axis of Resistance’ in the Middle East, remains firmly opposed to Israel’s existence. Similar to Iran and Hamas, Hezbollah advocates for Israel’s destruction and rejects its right to exist. The group, recognized as the most powerful anti-Israel armed force in the region, is estimated to have approximately 45,000 personnel, according to the CIA. Hezbollah’s arsenal is said to include around 150,000 missiles and rockets of various types.
