Lebanon Building Damage in Israel War Estimated at $1.38 Billion: UN-Backed Survey

A United Nations-backed assessment estimates that the recent war between Israel and Hezbollah has caused approximately $1.38 billion in direct damage to buildings in southern Lebanon. The report, released Monday, highlights the extensive destruction wrought by the conflict.

According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Lebanon's National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS), the damage assessment, based on satellite imagery comparison, found that 11,095 buildings were completely destroyed. This destruction impacted 17,891 housing units, while an additional 2,242 buildings suffered partial damage and 9,311 incurred minor damage.

“

In total, 11,095 buildings were completely destroyed, impacting 17,891 housing units, while 2,242 buildings sustained partial damage ... and 9,311 buildings incurred minor damage.

The assessment's findings cover damage up to late April, nearly two months into the conflict, and do not include the latest weeks of fighting. Hezbollah initiated its involvement in the broader Middle East conflict on March 2 by launching rockets at Israel, prompting retaliatory airstrikes and a ground invasion by Israeli forces operating within Lebanese territory.

Lebanese authorities report that Israeli attacks since March 2 have resulted in over 4,100 deaths and displaced more than one million people. Despite calls for residents to delay returning to border areas, some have begun returning to inspect their damaged homes and businesses.

“

Findings indicate that direct damage to buildings in south Lebanon is estimated at US$1.38 billion.