The accumulated material losses resulting from the Israeli war on Lebanon were estimated at about $9 billion, the largest portion of which was concentrated in the housing sector, at a time when about 300,000 people are still displaced.
This came in statements by the Minister of Social Affairs, Haneen Al-Sayed, during an interview with the Italian “Nova” agency in the capital, Rome, during which she explained that about 300,000 housing units were damaged or destroyed, adding that about 800,000 people were able to return to their areas, but many of them found their homes, schools, shops, and agricultural lands destroyed or severely damaged.
Al-Sayed stressed that the reconstruction process and strengthening the state’s presence represent the two most prominent challenges facing Lebanon, which lacks sufficient resources to cover the size of the losses, in conjunction with the decline in global humanitarian and development support. She explained that Lebanon received only about $300 million during the crisis, which is equivalent to only a third of the actual needs.
The Minister indicated that the challenge does not stop at securing financing, but rather extends to meeting the aspirations of hundreds of thousands of returnees waiting for the state’s intervention in reconstruction and the provision of basic services. In this context, she warned of the consequences of the government’s delay in filling the gap in the affected areas, stressing that the absence of tangible results may push citizens once again to rely on non-governmental agencies to obtain protection and services.
On the security level, Al-Sayed considered that stopping the Israeli bombing remains the most important challenge, calling on the international community, especially the United States, to exert effective pressure to stop the operations, in addition to strengthening the capabilities of the Lebanese army.
Regarding the future of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), she pointed out that Security Council Resolution No. 2790 stipulated the extension of its mission until December 31, 2026 in preparation for an orderly withdrawal, wondering about the alternative after the end of this period, and pointing at the same time to the readiness of European countries, including Italy, France and Spain, to continue supporting the security of southern Lebanon within an appropriate international framework.
In the bilateral context, the Minister appreciated the Italian support for Lebanon, noting that Rome had allocated two aid packages for the year 2026, worth 10 million and 15 million euros, to support affected communities, the displaced, and the agricultural sector.
At the level of local efforts, Al-Sayed revealed that the “Rooted for Lebanon” initiative, launched by the Ministry of Social Affairs, has so far collected $338,000 in private donations, indicating that these funds will be directed to support the most needy groups, specifically the elderly, people with special needs, families headed by women, and those with children.
