The two sides' first engagement occurred during the Lebanese Civil War, as Iran became increasingly involved in Lebanon's internal affairs.

Hezbollah controls southern Lebanon and is supported and funded by Iran and serves as their proxy in regional wars.

[1] From the inception of Hezbollah to the present[2][3][4][5] the establishment of a Palestinian state and the return of Palestinian refugees to what became Israel has been a primary goal for Hezbollah.

[6] Its 1985 manifesto reportedly states "our struggle will end only when this entity [Israel] is obliterated.

"[7] Engagements between Israel and Hezbollah are a part of the wider Iran–Israel proxy conflict, including: