Washington - Saba:
The World Bank estimated on Friday the cost of reconstruction and recovery in Lebanon following the Israeli aggression at $11 billion.
The Israeli aggression caused massive destruction in large areas of southern and eastern Lebanon and in the southern suburbs of Beirut, and inflicted huge economic losses on the country.
In a report titled "Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment in Lebanon for 2025", the World Bank estimated "reconstruction and recovery needs following the war in Lebanon at $11 billion", of which $1 billion is allocated to the severely damaged infrastructure sectors.
The report, prepared by the World Bank at the request of the Lebanese government, concluded that "the economic cost of the war in Lebanon is estimated at $14 billion", $7.2 billion of which resulted from "decreased productivity, lost revenues, and operating costs".
The housing sector, according to the report, is "the most affected, with damages estimated at $4.6 billion".
The Israeli aggression on Lebanon began on October 8, 2023, and turned into a large-scale war on September 23, leaving 4,115 martyrs and 16,909 wounded, including a large number of children and women, in addition to the displacement of about 1.4 million people.
Since the ceasefire agreement came into effect on November 27, 2024, the Israeli occupation forces have committed hundreds of violations, leaving at least 84 martyrs and 284 wounded, according to official statistics.
The Israeli enemy has evaded completing its withdrawal from southern Lebanon by February 18, as stipulated in the agreement, as it carried out a partial withdrawal and continues to occupy 5 main Lebanese points, without announcing an official date for the withdrawal until now.
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