What is the Amal Movement, Lebanon’s other Shia party?

What Happened

On March 2, Hezbollah fired six rockets across the Israel–Lebanon border, claiming it was in response to the reported assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei two days earlier. Israel responded by intensifying its military operations, including strikes on Beirut, after a previous one-sided ceasefire agreed in November 2024 during which Israel committed approximately 10,000 violations. The Lebanese government—backed by two ministers from the Amal Movement—subsequently issued a ban on Hezbollah’s military activities. Despite the ban and the earlier 66-day Israeli assault that killed 4,000 people, including Hezbollah’s longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah has continued drone attacks and clashes with Israeli forces. Amal, led by Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, remains a key ally of Hezbollah but is seen as potentially strengthened in its institutional role as Hezbollah’s military capacity and regional standing face ongoing pressure.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The interplay between Amal and Hezbollah defines Shia political and military power in Lebanon. Hezbollah’s perceived weakening after Israeli operations and the loss of Nasrallah creates an opening for Amal to reassert itself as the primary institutional channel for the Shia community, potentially reshaping Lebanon’s internal balance and influencing the implementation of UNSCR 1701 and the contested ceasefire framework. Amal’s role as a conduit between Hezbollah and external actors also becomes more critical as US–Iran tensions and Israeli operations continue.

Watch For

Monitor whether Hezbollah’s military activities persist despite the government ban and how Amal navigates its alliance with Hezbollah while consolidating state influence. Watch for Nabih Berri’s health and succession planning, as his potential departure could alter Amal’s trajectory. The evolution of US–Iran negotiations and any further Israeli military escalation will directly affect both groups’ calculations. Also, observe the Lebanese cabinet’s next steps to enforce the ban and Hezbollah’s response.