Lebanon PM visits war-torn south, vows to begin reconstruction despite Israeli violations

Lebanon’s prime minister promised that his government would begin reconstruction in the country’s war-torn south despite repeated Israeli violations of a ceasefire deal agreed in November 2024.

During a tour of south Lebanon on Saturday, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said funds have been allocated to begin rehabilitating damaged infrastructure such as roads, electricity, water, and telecommunications.

It is Salam’s second visit to the region since becoming prime minister around a year ago, with his government vowing sweeping reforms and bringing all arms in the country under state control.

Lebanon has begun disarming the Iran-backed group Hezbollah in line with the agreement, and Israel was supposed to withdraw from Lebanese territory it occupied.

But near-daily Israeli attacks have continued on parts of the country, and Israeli forces still occupy five strategic hilltops in the south along the border. Tel Aviv claims it is striking Hezbollah to keep the group weakened after it faced significant losses.

Dozens of border towns and villages have been razed, with swathes of the south heavily damaged. Estimates put financial losses from the war at around $11 billion, with indirect losses estimated to be higher.

These costs are increasing with every Israeli airstrike that destroys another home or private business.

Burdened with an unprecedented financial crisis since late 2019, the war losses have further strained the country’s finances.

'We will not wait for Israel to leave'

Starting his two-day tour in the coastal city of Tyre, Salam outlined a three-pronged approach: continued humanitarian aid, rebuilding infrastructure, and fostering economic and social recovery.

Immediate actions include cash assistance for temporary shelters, continued free healthcare and education for displaced residents, and rehabilitation of schools, hospitals, public buildings, and utility networks.

He confirmed that $250 million in concessional loans from the World Bank and 75 million euros from the French Agency will be provided via the Lebanese government’s Council for Development and Reconstruction.

Priority in compensation will be given to partially or fully damaged buildings, including border villages, with planning aimed at rebuilding them more strongly.

For economic recovery, the government will support job creation, local agriculture, and cooperatives, with 35 million euros in grants from the EU, France, and Denmark, Salam revealed.

The government "will not wait for the attacks to stop or for an Israeli withdrawal to begin its work," he said.

 "The goal is not just return, but the ability to live with dignity. The state is present to stay, not as a seasonal visitor."

Throughout his Saturday tour, Salam reiterated that the south was a priority for the government and that it would not be forgotten or neglected, as he also condemned Israel’s repeated violation of Lebanese sovereignty.

Many southern Lebanese have complained that they felt abandoned by the central government after the war, whether in a lack of public services, or frequent Israeli strikes which have killed more than 300 people since the ceasefire.

Salam has come under attack by Hezbollah for the government’s plan to disarm the group, which is refusing to disarm unless Israel withdraws from Lebanon and ceases attacks. It has also slammed the government’s decision to appoint a civilian representative for direct talks with Israel.

Salam has said he will not backtrack on the disarmament plan, vowing to end military dualism in the country, but also pushing for a diplomatic solution with Israel as an alternative to war. He has repeatedly called on mediators to pressure Tel Aviv to halt its attacks and withdraw from south Lebanon.

Hezbollah, which once played a dominating role in Lebanese politics and had a vast network of private educational, health, and financial institutions, is witnessing a crippling financial crunch.

Unable to compensate its supporters, residents in the south have had to pay out of their own pockets to repair their homes - something many are unable to afford. Tens of thousands of people are still displaced and their homes gone.

'Steadfast'

During his visit to Bint Jbeil, Salam confirmed that the government will allocate funds from the World Bank loan to the Bint Jbeil district for road repairs, the rehabilitation of some infrastructure and electrical transformers, and the provision of a water pumping station.

"I have come today with real projects that support the resilience of the people of the south," he said, emphasising that work is proceeding on two parallel tracks: continuing relief on one hand, and launching the reconstruction process on the other.

He added: "If the state is not present to support our steadfast people in the south, sustainability cannot be ensured," noting that the government will also rehabilitate three public schools.

The premier made stops in several other towns. Israeli forces were reportedly observing Salam’s visit to the border village of Yarin from a nearby hill at the Jurdah site, one of the areas still under occupation.

Salam received a warm welcome in Yarin. Locals dressed him in an abaya, symbolising high respect for a guest.

"I know the pain of Yarin as I know the pain of Zallutiyeh, Al-Bustan, Marwahin, and Al-Dhaira, and as I have seen the pain of your neighbour Tayr Harfa," he said, naming villages on the frontier with Israel ravaged by attacks.

"These towns have suffered a real catastrophe, and some have endured years of neglect and marginalisation," Salam said, as he acknowledged the constant state of panic southerners were living in.

"I also know that the attacks are ongoing and that many people live with daily worry, but I know something greater: I know the southerners, in all their diversity, and their attachment to their land. Your resilience is the priority, and the state will stand by you so you can remain and continue [to stay] on your land."