Hezbollah Offers Housing Aid, Calls for Joint Reconstruction with Lebanon

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

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.

 



Palestinian Health Ministry Says One Dead in Israel West Bank Raid

Demonstrators clash with Palestinian security forces in Nablus in the West Bank (File photo/Reuters)
Demonstrators clash with Palestinian security forces in Nablus in the West Bank (File photo/Reuters)
TT

Palestinian Health Ministry Says One Dead in Israel West Bank Raid

Demonstrators clash with Palestinian security forces in Nablus in the West Bank (File photo/Reuters)
Demonstrators clash with Palestinian security forces in Nablus in the West Bank (File photo/Reuters)

The health ministry in the occupied West Bank said one person was killed and nine injured in an Israeli raid on a refugee camp, with the Israeli military saying Saturday it had opened fire at "terrorists".

An 18-year-old man, Muhammad Medhat Amin Amer, "was killed by bullets from the (Israeli) occupation in the Balata camp" in the territory's north, the Palestinian health ministry said in a late-night statement, adding that nine people were injured, "four of whom are in critical condition".

According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, the raid began on Friday night and triggered violent clashes, AFP reported.

The official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that Israeli troops entered the camp from the Awarta checkpoint and "deployed snipers on the rooftops of surrounding buildings".

In a statement on Saturday, the Israeli military said that during the "counterterrorism" operation, "terrorists placed explosives in the area in order to harm (military) soldiers, hurled explosives, molotov cocktails, and rocks and shot fireworks at the forces".

"The forces fired toward the terrorists in order to remove the threat. Hits were identified," the statement said.

Violence in the West Bank has intensified since war broke out in the Gaza Strip after Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

Since then, at least 815 Palestinians have been killed in the territory by Israeli troops or settlers, according to the Palestinian health ministry in Ramallah.

In the same period, Palestinian attacks in the West Bank have killed at least 25 Israelis, according to official Israeli figures.

Israel has occupied the West Bank since conquering it in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.