Beirut: Israeli bombings in the south of Lebanon have inflicted about $5 billion worth of damage, and the only viable source of funds at the moment is the loan from the World Bank, South Lebanon State Council head Hashem Haidar told RIA Novosti.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the preliminary assessment indicates that the restoration in South Lebanon will cost approximately $5 billion. The sole current financial resource is a $250 million loan from the World Bank, designated explicitly for infrastructure restoration. Haidar further explained that technical and engineering teams from the council have completed 80% of the damage assessment in the cities, villages, and settlements impacted by Israeli bombings.
Haidar also mentioned that ongoing assessment work is being conducted in villages and settlements along the border, contingent on ensuring the safety of assessment workers. The Israeli army was expected to finalize its withdrawal from occupied areas in southern Lebanon by the morning of January 26, following a 60-day period after the ceasefire agreement was enacted. However, Israel did not fulfill these obligations, leading Washington to extend the deadline to February 18. Despite this, the Israeli army continued to occupy five positions on Lebanese territory.
Lebanese authorities have maintained full adherence to the ceasefire terms by deploying additional army forces to the southern borders. Nevertheless, they are unable to confirm whether Hezbollah forces have completely withdrawn beyond the Litani River as stipulated by the agreement.