Hezbollah, a radical Shiite group in Lebanon that has become embroiled in a deadly dispute with Israel, is a party of paradoxes.

On one hand, Hezbollah has carved out a political foothold for itself and is a participating member of the Lebanese government, having gained support by setting up schools, hospitals and social structure.

But on the other hand, Hezbollah is an armed militant group that refuses to acknowledge Israel's right to exist, is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and Israel, and has carried out numerous deadly terrorist attacks and kidnappings that have left hundreds dead.

Most recently, the world's attention has once again zeroed in on Hezbollah after it kidnapped two Israeli soldiers, and in the storm of retaliation that has followed, traded rocket attacks with Israel.

So what is the truth about Hezbollah?

Following are some facts on the organization:

Hezbollah's beginnings

• Hezbollah was established in 1982 after Israel invaded Lebanon, bringing most members of the coalition of terror groups known as Islamic Jihad together under one banner;
• Its name means 'Party of God,' in Arabic, and it is a powerful group, both politically and militarily, with the expressed formal goal of establishing Islamic rule in Lebanon;
• It was built with financial support from Iran, and immediately began attempts to drive the Israeli forces out of the country;
• After 18 years of struggle, Israel pulled out in 2000, mostly due to the efforts of the Islamic Resistance -- Hezbollah's armed, militant faction;
• The Israeli pullout -- seen as a victory for Hezbollah -- helped give the party widespread credibility within Lebanon.

Hezbollah's support

• Hezbollah built on the momentum generated by the Israeli pullout, and has now carved out a political niche with 14 seats in the 128-member Lebanese parliament, and two members of cabinet;
• Hezbollah has also established almost complete control over southern Lebanon, and runs an influential television station called al-Manar;
• Much of its popular support has been maintained through a campaign of setting up schools and hospitals, along with other social services within Lebanon;
• According to the U.S. and Israel, much of Hezbollah's funding -- along with weapons and military training -- comes from Syria and Iran. Syria acknowledges supporting Hezbollah, but denies allegations that it provides arms to the group;
• The leader of Hezbollah is Sheik Hassan Nasrallah.

Hezbollah's 'Armed Resistance' faction

• Hezbollah is known or suspected to have been involved in a number of attacks against the U.S., Israel and other Western nations or targets. The most notorious is the 1983 suicide truck attacks that killed 241 U.S. Marines;
• Hezbollah has also launched shells and rockets into northern Israel, and especially into the Shebaa Farms area, which Hezbollah claims as its own, while Israel maintains it is part of the Golan Heights, which it controls;
• The armed wing has also grown fond of using freelance groups to take Westerners hostage;
• Hezbollah has been held responsible for 1996's suicide bombing of the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia. Nineteen people died in the attack, and in 1994, the bombing of a Jewish community centre in Argentina that killed 85 people was credited to Hezbollah;
• The most recent decision to take two Israeli soldiers hostage has made the most impact, prompting harsh reprisal attacks from Israel and demands for the soldiers' return;
• In response to the Israeli reprisals, Hezbollah launched rocket attacks on three settlements in northern Israel;
• The fighting has killed numerous civilians in both Lebanon and Israel;
• Lebanese government officials have slammed the Israeli retaliation as disproportionate, but at the same time, began working towards re-establishing control of southern Lebanon, with officials maintaining only the state can launch attacks.