There has been speculation that Hizbullah might be forced to refocus on a peaceful political agenda since Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon in May 2000 - with the Israeli occupation over, there would be no reason for the party to maintain its military wing. However, Hizbullah used a border dispute over the small Shebaa Farms region as justification for continuing anti-Israeli operations.

But with many Lebanese unconvinced that the Shebaa Farms were worth risking Israeli retaliation and regional instability, Hizbullah's activities remained limited. While the January 2004 prisoner exchange was seen as a major propaganda coup for Hizbullah, the return of hundreds of Lebanese prisoners removed another reason for continuing the fight against Israel. With its raison d'etre under threat, Hizbullah has tried to capitalise on the concern that followed Israel's assassination of Yassin, Hamas' spiritual leader, on 22 March. Within hours of the killing, Hizbullah units were launching rockets and mortars at Israeli positions in the Shebaa Farms. On 29 March, Hizbullah Secretary General Hasan Nasrallah met a Hamas delegation led by Khalid Mishal in Beirut. The resulting statement promising increased co-operation between the two groups provided stark confirmation that Hizbullah remains committed to anti-Israeli violence.