Chronicle of the Middle East and North Africa

Lebanon: Post-war Reconstruction Amid Heightened Divisions

Frustration in Lebanon grows among affected residents, many of whom are losing faith in Hezbollah’s ability to lead reconstruction.

Lebanon: Post-war Reconstruction
Residents buy vegetables from an ambulant vendor stationed amid the destruction in the neighborhood of Chiyah in Beirut’s southern suburbs. IBRAHIM AMRO / AFP

Lena Rihane* had just returned to her home in Bir el-Abed, Beirut, only to find it uninhabitable. The windows are completely broken off, the furniture is damaged by shattered glass, and parts of the walls have collapsed. All the doors have been ripped from their hinges due to the impact of the Israeli bombing on her neighborhood.

“I knew it was going to take a lot of money to repair, and I was worried where that money would come from,” Lena told Fanack.

Although Hezbollah had announced it would cover the costs of repairs following the ceasefire on November 27, the process has been far from smooth. Local reports reveal that the “Damage Assessment Committee at Jihad al-Binaa,” affiliated with Hezbollah, has reported that approximately 45,000 homes were completely destroyed across Lebanon.

These numbers are based on direct surveys where possible, and scientific estimates where necessary. The aim is to prepare for the “post-war phase,” addressing key issues such as displacement, return, and reconstruction. The total amount of rubble is estimated at 1.2 million cubic meters. Notably, the cost of rebuilding the southern suburbs (Dahiyeh) reached $630 million by the end of October, while reconstruction in other areas amounted to some $2.3 million.

According to Lena, architects sent by Hezbollah came to inspect the damage but failed to document all the issues, only approving compensation for a small fraction of the damages.

“Basically, the windows and one room where the walls had collapsed,” she explained.

Now, Lena worries that the $4,000 she needs for repairs won’t be fully covered, and only a small portion will be reimbursed.

“At this point, I’m only hoping for them to cover $1,000, and I can borrow the rest,” she said.

Lena, like many others in Dahiyeh, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon, is facing these challenges one month after a fragile ceasefire was announced. The rebuilding process is slow due to the extent of the damage and the high costs, leaving people torn between sympathy and understanding for Hezbollah and feelings of anger and frustration as they struggle to rebuild their lives—much like they did after the 2006 war.

At What Cost?

Israel’s war on Lebanon has claimed over 3,000 lives in just two months, leaving widespread destruction in its wake. Entire villages have been wiped out, and damage in the southern suburbs has surpassed the devastation caused during the 2006 war. Over 45,000 homes have been completely destroyed, with more than 90,000 severely or partially damaged, a staggering increase compared to the 12,000 homes lost in 2006.

Reconstruction faces major hurdles, primarily due to a lack of funding. Unlike 2006, when international donors swiftly provided aid, Lebanon has yet to secure financial backing. Soaring prices for construction materials, driven by profiteering, have further escalated rebuilding costs, now estimated at over $11 billion—more than double the $5.3 billion incurred in 2006.

The Lebanese government has approved a 4,000 billion LBP advance for clearing debris, estimated at 1.2 million cubic meters, and is working on legislation to rebuild homes. The Council for South, tasked with assessing damage and overseeing technical procedures, is collaborating with Jihad al-Binaa organization, which previously led post-2006 reconstruction efforts. Surveys and damage assessments have already begun in the southern suburbs, southern Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley.

Hezbollah announced plans to provide $6,000 to $8,000 to homeowners whose properties were destroyed, allowing them to rent alternative housing for a year. Meanwhile, those with damaged houses are expected to receive compensation for repairs.

However, some areas remain unsurveyed, leaving residents uncertain about financial compensation. Leyla Mashnouq* from Tyre, whose house sustained minor damage to glass, windows, and doors, is still waiting for an assessment. While these issues are relatively minor compared to the widespread destruction, no officials have visited her property.

“My brother went to the municipality to inquire, and they told us to fix what we can for now. They said they’d notify us when financial compensation becomes available,” Leyla told Fanack. “But we don’t have the means to make repairs right now.”

Leyla’s aunt Mona*, who lives in Abbasiye, a few kilometers from Tyre, faced a similar situation. Without an official assessment, she isn’t eligible for compensation.

“She covered the repair costs herself because winter is approaching, and she needs her house ready to withstand the rain,” Leyla said.

Uncertain Future

Zeinab Rammal*, a resident of Tyre, lost her home entirely when a rocket hit the neighboring building. While an assessment was conducted, she claims the architect informed her he had no information about financial compensation for rent.

“He only said he didn’t have an answer at the moment,” Zeinab told Fanack.

Though the building remains standing, the apartments inside have sustained severe damage, with walls and ceilings collapsed. Zeinab now sleeps at her cousin’s house but spends her days in the remains of her apartment, which is completely open to the street. She sits on the few pieces of furniture that survived while waiting for further assessments.

“It’s like sitting on the street, but I have no choice. I need to wait and make sure I don’t miss them because, otherwise, I won’t get an answer,” she said.

Despite some shops reopening and signs of life returning to Tyre, Zeinab describes the situation as dire. Many residents and shop owners cannot afford repairs, leaving the local economy struggling. “There’s a certain air of despair and grief that still hasn’t left the city,” she added.

Houssam Hachem*, from Kfarkila, a heavily bombarded border village, has lost his three-story building and two shops.

“How will they compensate for these losses?” he told Fanack. “These cost me hundreds of thousands of dollars, and I know I won’t get that back.”

Kfarkila remains off-limits to residents under the ceasefire agreement, which grants Israeli troops 60 days to withdraw. However, Israeli forces continue to violate the agreement, killing civilians and demolishing homes.

Houssam is deeply concerned about being unable to return to his village if Israeli troops don’t withdraw. He also fears that Hezbollah may struggle to provide compensation or take too long to do so, leaving him in limbo.

“I’m renting an apartment in Nabatieh with extended family members,” he said. “But it’s far from the decent life we wish for ourselves.”

Zeinab shares these concerns, worrying that Hezbollah may lack the funding to offer substantial compensation, especially with no international donors stepping in as they did in 2006.

“My balcony alone cost around $15,000,” she said. “This is a heavy loss, knowing they will probably only cover a fraction of it.”

Nabatieh in Ruins

Ahmad Ghandour* from Nabatieh, which also sustained heavy damages, says that although he was able to cover the costs for his house repairs, government electricity is still unavailable, as infrastructural damage will take more time.

“Some people have put up plastic covers on windows because they cannot afford glass,” he said.

Ghandour also mentioned that while Syrian refugees had rented apartments in Nabatieh, the municipality decided to prioritize Lebanese tenants and no longer allow refugees to rent.

Although financial compensation has not been provided to those whose homes were completely destroyed, Ghandour emphasized that people still need a place to live, especially those who have the financial means to rent.

For Ahmad, Houssam, and Zeinab, public opinion regarding Hezbollah has shifted dramatically.

“They are now stuck in limbo and do not know what to do without their businesses or houses,” Ghandour said.

According to Zeinab, it was with the assassination of the secretary-general of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, on September 27, 2024, that the Shia community felt broken and lost.

“Those who supported Hezbollah have yet to recover from Nasrallah’s assassination and feel the group is only a shadow of its former self,” Zeinab said.

She added that the delay in financial compensations has left many frustrated, as it seems that the compensations are coming at very low amounts in comparison to the amounts needed for the repairs, which is creating new tensions between the group and its base.

On December 19, the Nabatieh Traders Association organized a protest in the city’s commercial district, which had been heavily damaged by Israeli airstrikes. The demonstration aimed to pressure the Lebanese government and relevant authorities to expedite compensation payments for businesses, industries, free professions, pharmacies, and agricultural sectors, including poultry, beekeeping, and livestock. Participants emphasized the need for swift action to rebuild damaged infrastructure, reimburse losses, and restore economic activity in southern Lebanon. Local officials expressed solidarity and pledged support for advocating fair compensation.

According to the local newspaper Nidaa al-Watan, a wave of discontent has emerged within Hezbollah’s Shiite base in southern Lebanon following the ceasefire, as the full extent of the devastation becomes clearer. Several residents, including those living abroad or previously supporting Hezbollah, have filed lawsuits against the party. They accuse Hezbollah of storing weapons under residential buildings, digging tunnels beneath homes without residents’ knowledge, and causing destruction during Israeli airstrikes.

While many lawsuits were dismissed due to judicial influence or jurisdictional issues, some plaintiffs intend to escalate their cases. This legal action, though uncertain in its outcome, signals a growing willingness to break the silence within Hezbollah’s base. As residents face the aftermath of widespread destruction and insufficient compensation, they are increasingly questioning the party’s actions. Unlike in 2006, Hezbollah now faces financial constraints, and reconstruction efforts depend on the bankrupt Lebanese state, heavily influenced by Hezbollah itself, and international aid which does not seem to be coming. Rarely any mention of assistance from Iran has been voiced officially.

Hopeful Future

In the heart of Nabatieh, however, pharmacist Nader Badereddine stands as a symbol of hope and determination. After the devastating Israeli airstrikes that left the city in ruins, Badereddine faced the destruction of not only his home but also his pharmacy—a critical hub for locals in need of medicine and basic healthcare supplies.

“I lost my pharmacy, my house, and the surrounding area,” Nader told Fanack. “This pharmacy was known for being open late at night and early in the morning, serving people’s needs. It wasn’t just a business; it was a lifeline for the community and for me personally.”

Despite the immense loss and the lack of immediate financial compensation, Nader was determined to rebuild, even before the war was officially over.

“Nabatieh is currently devastated, and it will take time to recover. But I told myself, let’s start small. Maybe we can climb the ladder step by step,” he explained.

Although some dismissed his efforts as unrealistic in the middle of an ongoing war, Badereddine remained steadfast. “They called me crazy, but I told them I’m fighting for what’s right. I had a plan, and I was determined to see it through,” he said.

He eventually reopened a container make-shift pharmacy in a temporary location near its original site, refusing to let the war and destruction bring his mission to a halt.

“Some people thought the war would last for months or even years. They told me to wait, but I couldn’t. The pharmacy is my life—it’s as important to me as my family, he added.

Still, the road to recovery is long. His home remains uninhabitable, and he currently rents a temporary space. Compensation for his losses has yet to materialize.

“Inspectors came, documented the damages, and left, but we’re still waiting for any updates on financial assistance. Everything so far has been out of my pocket,” he said.

The economic situation in Nabatieh remains dire, with many businesses and homes still in shambles. The local market is heavily damaged, and while some movement has started to return, it’s nothing like before, Badereddine said. Yet, his efforts to reopen the pharmacy are part of a broader attempt to revive economic activity in the area.

“This isn’t just about me—it’s about encouraging the community to rebuild and move forward,” he said.

Yet, amid the uncertainty and challenges, Badereddine remains hopeful. He acknowledges the lengthy rebuilding process, understanding that the scale of the destruction requires time to address.

“We can’t blame anyone, especially those responsible for the rebuilding efforts. We need to support them given the vast extent of the damage, and we shouldn’t burden them further,” he said. “However, we can’t wait forever. There’s too much to be done, and I’ll continue doing my part to help this city rise again.”

Amid the rebuilding efforts, which are expected to take between one and three years, the Shiite community appears to be divided. On one side, there are those who understand Hezbollah’s lengthy process of reconstruction; on the other, there are those who are frustrated and feel lost, sensing a lack of support. This divide is likely to create political challenges for Hezbollah, which may become more apparent in the near future.

*Some names have been changed for privacy concerns.

user placeholder
written by
Dima
All Dima articles