This is a very good read with lots of background info
http://www.meforum.org/article/499
The Return of Hizbullah
by Eyal Zisser
FALL 2002
(excerpt)
Second, Hizbullah has succeeded in recent years, and particularly since the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) pulled out of Lebanon in May 2000, in building an impressive military capability. It has a rocket arsenal that includes thousands of Katyushas and more advanced rockets that cover the entire north of Israel.[2] Hizbullah's direct and immediate threat to the Israeli civilian population is greater than that of some neighboring Arab states.
Finally, and as a result of its territorial base and arms buildup, Hizbullah has become a powerful player in the region and enjoys much more independence than in the past. Syria, which once had an important say in the activities of the organization, has been brushed aside. For good or ill, Iran is now in charge.
All this has come as a cruel surprise to many analysts. After the Lebanese civil war came to an end in October 1989, and even more so after the IDF's withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000, these analysts predicted that Hizbullah would undergo a process of "Lebanonization"—becoming a Lebanese political movement, moderated by its local responsibilities. "Hizbullah has no appetite to launch a military campaign across the border, should Israel withdraw from the south," wrote one such analyst in 1998.[3] "Episodic attacks on Israel might occur from Lebanon, but the broadly popular resistance will close up shop when Israel leaves."[4]
It now seems obvious, however, that Hizbullah has not changed, and that it remains a radical and militant organization whose principal objective is to lead an armed struggle against Israel. The fact that in recent years its military power has grown to strategic proportions, with the aid and encouragement of Iran, proves that the Lebanese "veil" worn by Hizbullah is exceedingly thin. Sham "Lebanonization" allows the organization to continue building its military strength undisturbed and to attract a political following for future struggles, not only against Israel but also within Lebanon.
Nasrallah: We'll surprise Israel
In first televised appearance since Israel launched intensified air strikes in Southern Lebanon, Hizbullah leader, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah said that Israel has failed in hitting organization's missile reserves and that it targeted innocent civilians instead
Ynetnews
In a first televised appearance since Israel launched intensified air strikes in Southern Lebanon, Hizbullah leader, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah said that Israel has failed in hitting the organization's missile reserves and that it targeted innocent civilians instead.
"Israel doesn't know our capabilities in every level," Nasrallah said. "The Zionist enemy has not succeeded in infiltrating our group," he added.
"If Israel thinks that our missiles cannot reach beyond Haifa and Tiberias, then it is wrong. If you think Hizbullah cannot stand firm in this confrontation, then your government and army ate deceiving you," he told the Israeli citizens.
Hizbullah tries not to hurt innocent civilians, the group leader said, "but when Israel crosses all the red lines, we have to do the same."
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3276791,00.html
A look at Hizbullah's Fajar-3 missile
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hizbullah guerrillas launched a Fajar-3 missile at Haifa on Sunday for the first time in an attack that killed eight people. Here are some details on the missile:
Origin: The Fajr-3 is an Iranian-made medium range ballistic missile. Iran announced its first successful test of the missile in April, saying it was the most advanced missile in its arsenal, was invisible to radar and could hold multiple warheads that could attack several targets at the same time.
Specifications: The Fajar-3 has a range of 45 kilometers and can carry a 45 kilogram warhead, making it far more deadly than the Katyusha rocket.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1150886015379&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull