Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Dec 6, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said Thursday that his group and its backer Iran had allocated $77 million so far to Lebanese displaced by its war with Israel, with more to come.

"In November, Hezbollah decided to give a monetary gift -- a gift from the Iranian people and Hezbollah -- of between $300 and $400 for each family," out of more than 233,000 families who registered for its assistance, Qassem said.

"A total of $57 million has been paid," covering 172,000 families, or some 75 percent of those registered, while the rest will receive a total of $20 million, he added in a televised address.

Qassem thanked Iran for "the generous support", emphasising Hezbollah's commitment to shelter and reconstruction.

Israel stepped up its campaign in south Lebanon in late September after nearly a year of cross-border exchanges begun by Hezbollah in support of its ally Hamas following the Palestinian group's October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel.

In a report released last month, the World Bank provided estimates for damage between October 8, 2023, and October 27, 2024, saying "the conflict has caused $5.1 billion in economic losses", with damage to physical structures amounting to "at least $3.4 billion" on top of that.

It has also "damaged an estimated 99,209 housing units" -- mainly in the south near the border with Israel -- totalling $2.8 billion in damage, it said.

Eighty-one percent of damaged and destroyed houses are in the southern districts of Tyre, Nabatiyeh, Sidon, Bint Jbeil and Marjayoun, it said.

Qassem said that in addition to the $77 million already set aside, for "all those whose homes have been completely destroyed and cannot return to them" in Beirut and its southern suburbs, Hezbollah will pay "$14,000 over one year" to cover rent and furniture.

Those living in other areas will receive $12,000 for the same purpose, he added.

"Most of the amount will be offered in cash by the Islamic republic (of Iran) for shelter,", Qassem said, calling on "brotherly Arab countries and friendly countries to contribute to the reconstruction".

After Hezbollah and Israel went to war in 2006, Gulf countries led by Qatar helped with reconstruction, while Iran assisted with rebuilding bridges, roads and establishing service centres.