A prominent member of Hezbollah, MP Hassan Fadlallah, expressed hope today, Tuesday, for the continuation of the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, noting that the party has begun to pay compensation to those who suffered losses during the Israeli bombardment over the weeks in southern Lebanon. He stated after a meeting with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, "Hopefully the ceasefire will continue."
Violence along the Israeli-Lebanese border has forced tens of thousands of residents on both sides to leave their homes. The Israeli attacks in Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of about 100 people, including 80 Hezbollah fighters. Fadlallah, citing a survey conducted by Hezbollah on the damage caused by the Israeli attacks in Lebanon, reported that 37 residential buildings were completely destroyed, and 11 other buildings were entirely consumed by fire, while 1,500 homes across different areas in the south suffered varying degrees of damage.
He added that Mikati agreed for the government to pay compensation for vehicles and crops, including olive fields, that were damaged due to the clashes. Furthermore, he emphasized that this would be separate from the compensation to be paid by Hezbollah. He continued, "But this does not mean that the government is not concerned; it is concerned, and Mikati was very responsive."
He also mentioned that Hezbollah has spent over $300 million on compensation and reconstruction following the 2006 war, during which Israeli airstrikes devastated large areas of southern Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold.
