Hezbollah to implement $3 billion reconstruction plan: reports

Lebanese paramilitary group Hezbollah is preparing a $3 billion reconstruction package for areas affected by Israel's onslaught, Lebanese and pro-Hezbollah media reported on Sunday.

The plan, which will be financed by its Waad Project, will be carried out in three stages, Al-Akhbar reported.

The first phase of the project will allocate $1 billion for Beirut's southern suburb of Dahiye and surrounding villages, with two additional phases — both costing $1 billion each — to follow. An additional $500 million will be allocated for additional repairs and for supporting families, according to reports.

Sources cited by Iran's Press TV said that the initiative "does not excuse the Lebanese government from its responsibilities but reflects Hezbollah’s frustration with the administration's lack of action".

Hezbollah-leaning Iranian and Lebanese outlets highlighted Lebanese President Joseph Aoun's pledge of $40 million to repair structurally unsafe buildings which house up to 7,000 families, saying that the leader has failed to fulfil this pledge. 

A source cited by Al-Akhbar blamed Prime Minister Nawaf Salam for "political obstruction, which derailed all efforts to secure government backing".

Hezbollah, which suffered severe blows to its leadership and infrastructure in its recent war with Israel — including the assassination of longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah and several other key figures — is now the target of a government campaign to disarm the group.

Once considered one of the most formidable non-state armed groups in the world, Hezbollah's arsenal has been significantly degraded by Israeli attacks.

Lebanon's government has pledged to implement a plan that would see Hezbollah and other groups disarmed by the end of 2025.

On Saturday, a Hezbollah lawmaker vowed that the group will not abandon its weapons, a day after the Lebanese government ordered the army to begin implementing a plan to disarm it.

Lebanon is facing heavy pressure from the United States to disarm Hezbollah, while Israel has continued its strikes on Lebanon, despite a ceasefire agreed in November.

Hezbollah has said it will not disarm while Israeli strikes continue.