World Bank: Lebanon’s reconstruction to cost $11 billion 

BEIRUT — The World Bank has estimated that rebuilding Lebanon after the devastating 14-month war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah will require $11 billion. The conflict, which lasted over a year, resulted in the deaths of 4,000 Lebanese civilians and widespread destruction. 

A nation in ruins: the cost of war 

In a newly released report, the World Bank detailed the staggering financial toll of the war, which left large parts of Lebanon in ruins. The report estimates that reconstruction efforts, including rebuilding homes, infrastructure, and key industries, will require at least $11 billion. 

The war, which raged from October 8, 2023, to December 20, 2024, displaced thousands of Lebanese citizens and inflicted severe damage across ten key regions. 

The war’s origins and escalation 

The conflict erupted after Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel in what was described as an act of support for Hamas in Gaza. In response, the Israeli military launched an extensive airstrike campaign targeting Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon. 

After months of intense fighting, a U.S.-brokered ceasefire was reached in late November 2024, temporarily halting hostilities. However, the damage left behind remains immense. 

Rebuilding Lebanon: a massive financial challenge 

According to the World Bank, reconstructing Lebanon’s shattered infrastructure will require between $3 billion and $5 billion. Additionally, restoring homes, tourism, and industrial sectors will demand another $6 billion to $8 billion. 

Despite these figures, the World Bank did not specify how Lebanon would secure the necessary funding. The country, already grappling with a severe economic crisis, faces significant challenges in mobilizing international support for reconstruction.

A diplomatic shift: strengthening U.S.-Lebanon ties 

In a move seen as a step toward strengthening U.S.-Lebanon relations, President Donald Trump appointed Lebanese businessman Michel Issa as the new U.S. ambassador to Lebanon. The appointment underscores Washington’s growing interest in Lebanon’s future stability and economic recovery. 

As Lebanon begins to assess the long road ahead, the question remains: where will the $11 billion come from, and how can the nation rebuild from yet another devastating chapter in its history?