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Lebanon will need at least $11 billion to recover from the 14-month war between Israel and Hezbollah. This estimate was presented by the World Bank in its new report Lebanon Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment, AP reports.

The scale of the destruction is staggering. The report covers the period from 8 October 2023 to 20 December 2024 and analyses the damage in ten key sectors of the economy. The total cost of recovery is estimated at $11 billion. Between $3 billion and $5 billion will need to be allocated from the state budget, mainly for infrastructure rebuilding, while $6 billion to $8 billion is expected from the private sector, which is expected to invest in housing, trade, industry and tourism.

The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah began on 8 October 2023, the day after Hamas attacked southern Israel. Initially, it was a series of localised attacks, but by September 2024, the war had become full-scale.

Thanks to US mediation, a ceasefire was reached in November, but tensions have not disappeared. The Lebanese army accused Israel of violating the agreement, saying that Israeli soldiers had accompanied civilians to visit a Jewish shrine near the village of Hula without the permission of the Lebanese authorities. Israel has not yet commented on the allegations.

Lebanon’s recovery could take years. The country’s public debt already exceeds 150% of GDP, and it will not be easy to find the necessary $11 billion. The Lebanese authorities are counting on international assistance, but political instability in the country is complicating negotiations. Investors fear that the war could resume at any time, which calls into question the long-term stability of the region.