Lebanon’s Amal Movement maintains key Shia role amid Hezbollah uncertainty

What happened

Al Jazeera Lebanon reports that as the war between Israel and Lebanon surpasses 100 days, the alliance between Lebanon’s two main Shia blocs—the Amal Movement and Hezbollah—remains intact but subject to pressure amid shifting regional dynamics. While Hezbollah’s military leadership has been impacted, Amal, under Speaker Nabih Berri, continues to hold significant political influence within Lebanese state institutions.

The Amal Movement’s parliamentary presence and Berri’s constitutional role position it as an important patron of Lebanon’s Shia community, particularly as Tehran’s support for Hezbollah faces uncertainties due to ongoing US-Iran and Israel-Lebanon negotiations. Analysts cited by Al Jazeera suggest that if Hezbollah’s influence wanes or the group reallocates focus internally, Amal could strengthen its role as a mediator between the Shia community, the Lebanese state, and external actors.

Though historically Amal and Hezbollah competed during Lebanon’s civil war, today they are allied, with Hezbollah holding dominant military and regional power while Amal commands the largest official Shia representation in Lebanon’s political institutions. Berri’s function as a conduit for diplomacy with foreign entities that avoid direct engagement with Hezbollah underscores the interdependence of the two groups despite occasional intra-community tensions.

Known from the source

• The Amal Movement is led by Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri.
• Amal and Hezbollah are the two main Shia political blocs in Lebanon and remain allied.
• Hezbollah’s military leadership and longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah were reportedly impacted in a 66-day Israeli assault.
• Hezbollah fired six rockets across the border on March 2, 2026, prompting Israel to intensify attacks.
• Since November 2024, Israel had unilaterally observed a ceasefire with about 10,000 violations reported prior to March 2.

What remains unclear

The recent Israeli assault, restarting after Hezbollah’s rocket fire in response to Iran’s Supreme Leader’s assassination, further disrupted ceasefire conditions. Despite the Lebanese government banning Hezbollah’s military activities and moves toward disarmament, Hezbollah has continued some military actions. Meanwhile, Amal ministers supported the ban, reflecting divisions within Lebanon’s Shia political spectrum.

What remains unclear: Verify the current operational status and leadership structure of Hezbollah following reported losses. Confirm any recent shifts in Amal Movement’s strategy or influence following Berri’s reported health concerns. Confirm details on Amal’s official stance regarding Hezbollah’s military activities beyond ministerial support for government bans. Check for updated casualty figures or impact assessments related to the ongoing Israel-Lebanon conflict.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: Al Jazeera Lebanon. Open the source.