Hezbollah Offers Housing Aid, Calls for Joint Reconstruction with Lebanon

Hezbollah’s Chief Naim Qassem (AFP)
Hezbollah’s Chief Naim Qassem (AFP)
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Hezbollah Offers Housing Aid, Calls for Joint Reconstruction with Lebanon

Hezbollah’s Chief Naim Qassem (AFP)
Hezbollah’s Chief Naim Qassem (AFP)

Hezbollah's leader, Naim Qassem, declared that the group remains resilient and has regained its unity following Israel's nearly two-month-long offensive on Lebanon.
Speaking at an event titled “The Reconstruction Campaign: A Promise and Commitment,” he detailed compensation plans for damaged homes, furniture, and rent, crediting Iran for most of the funding.
Qassem placed the responsibility for rebuilding on the Lebanese government and urged Arab nations to assist. He admitted Hezbollah recently faced its toughest challenge yet, saying, “Israel tried to crush the resistance but failed.”
The Hezbollah leader confirmed the group’s approval of the ceasefire as part of UN Resolution 1701, rejecting claims it involves other resolutions like 1559, which calls for disarming militias.
He said the Lebanese government is responsible for addressing violations, while Hezbollah supports giving the ceasefire a chance to succeed.
“Internal matters involving the party, the state, and the army are for Lebanon to decide, not Israel,” he added.
Qassem highlighted Hezbollah’s aid to displaced families, acknowledging most funds come from Iran.
“We thank Iran, Iraq, and Yemen for their generous support,” he said, urging Arab nations and the international community to help with reconstruction.
Hezbollah plans to provide $6,000–$8,000 for temporary housing and has already distributed $57 million in aid.
“Shelter and reconstruction are promises we will fulfill,” he stated, calling on the government to handle debris removal and infrastructure repairs.
Qassem accused the US and Israel of using extremist groups to destabilize Syria and shift it away from its resistance stance.
He vowed Hezbollah’s continued support for Syria to counter these efforts, saying, “We will stand by Syria to thwart this aggression".

Late in September, Israel waged a two-month offensive on Lebanon that mainly devastated the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs in Beirut (Dahieh), and villages in south Lebanon and other areas, causing widespread destruction to homes, infrastructure, and vital services.

The offensive, which targeted Hezbollah strongholds, left large sections of the area in ruins, with buildings reduced to rubble and thousands of civilians displaced.

 



World Food Program Condemns Israeli Attack on Its Gaza Convoy

People and first responders inspect the rubble of a collapsed residential building that was hit by Israeli bombardment in the Saraya area in al-Rimal in central Gaza City on January 4, 2025 amid the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (AFP)
People and first responders inspect the rubble of a collapsed residential building that was hit by Israeli bombardment in the Saraya area in al-Rimal in central Gaza City on January 4, 2025 amid the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (AFP)
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World Food Program Condemns Israeli Attack on Its Gaza Convoy

People and first responders inspect the rubble of a collapsed residential building that was hit by Israeli bombardment in the Saraya area in al-Rimal in central Gaza City on January 4, 2025 amid the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (AFP)
People and first responders inspect the rubble of a collapsed residential building that was hit by Israeli bombardment in the Saraya area in al-Rimal in central Gaza City on January 4, 2025 amid the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (AFP)

The UN World Food Program said on Monday that Israeli forces had opened fire on one of its convoys in the besieged Palestinian enclave of Gaza in what it called a "horrifying incident".

The agency said the convoy of three vehicles carrying eight staff members from central Gaza to Gaza City in the north was struck by 16 bullets near the Wadi Gaza checkpoint on Sunday, causing no injuries but immobilizing the convoy.

The vehicles were clearly marked and had received prior security clearances from Israeli authorities, a WFP statement said.

"The World Food Program (WFP) strongly condemns the horrifying incident on January 5," it said.

"This unacceptable event is just the latest example of the complex and dangerous working environment that WFP and other agencies are operating in today," WFP said, calling for improvements in security conditions to allow aid to continue.

The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the incident.

International aid agencies working to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza have frequently accused Israeli forces of hampering or threatening their operations amid Israel's campaign to wipe out Hamas fighters.