Over 100,000 Housing Units Damaged in Lebanon

The World Bank has reported significant destruction in Lebanon, with about 100,000 housing units damaged during the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.

The total economic losses in the country have exceeded $5 billion over the course of the year-long hostilities, according to the report issued on Thursday.

From October 8, 2023, to October 27, 2024, an estimated 99,209 housing units sustained damage.

Of these, 18% were destroyed, while 82% experienced partial damage. The conflict also caused structural damages valued at $3.4 billion.

The economic impact of the war has been severe, reducing Lebanon’s projected real GDP growth for 2024 by at least 6.6%. Before the conflict, growth was expected to reach 0.9%.

Sectors like agriculture, trade, and tourism have suffered the most, with combined losses estimated at $3.9 billion. Other sectors, including education, health, and the environment, also reported losses running into hundreds of millions of dollars.

In parallel to these economic impacts, Israeli military operations have intensified. The Israeli army issued warnings to residents of the Ghobeiry area in Beirut's southern suburbs, citing its proximity to Hezbollah facilities.

Avichay Adraee, the Israeli army's Arabic spokesperson, urged residents via social media to evacuate buildings marked on provided maps, advising them to move at least 500 meters away.

Earlier in the day, similar warnings were issued to residents of Harat Hreik and Burj al-Barajneh in southern Beirut, also advising evacuation.

Israeli airstrikes targeted multiple locations in Lebanon, including Ghobeiry and Amrousieh in the Choueifat area.

According to the Lebanese National News Agency, these strikes heavily damaged neighborhoods, including a location near St. Michael's Church in the Chiyah district.

As the conflict escalates, the damage to infrastructure and displacement of civilians exacerbate Lebanon’s ongoing economic and humanitarian crises.

With critical sectors already strained, the continued destruction threatens to deepen the nation’s challenges, raising concerns about long-term recovery and stability.