Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, a small town in southern Lebanon, is left in ruins after weeks of Israeli air attacks, shelling, and in some cases, deliberate demolitions. The fighting, driven by tensions with the Lebanese group Hezbollah, has left the community struggling to begin the process of rebuilding. However, the sheer scale of the damage makes it extremely difficult for residents to even begin to recover.
A Town in Ruins
The destruction in Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh is not a new development but part of a long-standing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which began in October 2023 and has ebbed and flowed over the past months. The conflict saw two major escalations—first in September 2024 and again in early March 2025, following the beginning of the U.S.-led war on Iran. These surges in violence have left the town battered and its people displaced.
Residents of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh were still picking up the pieces from the first wave of attacks when they found themselves caught in the crossfire once more. Many of the town's houses are now little more than piles of rubble, and some are completely uninhabitable. One man in his 80s, who used to live in the area, showed the remains of his once-home, now reduced to a heap of concrete. 'I feel humiliated,' he said, as he described how he collects scrap metal from the ruins to sell in order to survive.
The financial crisis in Lebanon, which reached a breaking point in 2019, has only made matters worse for those in Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh and surrounding areas. The collapse of the economy, along with the banking sector and the value of the local currency, has left many residents without access to their savings. In the absence of meaningful reform or financial support from political leaders, the country remains in deep crisis, unable to provide the necessary resources for reconstruction.
The man in his 80s is not the only one who has had to adapt to the new reality. Many others are forced to do the same—scavenging through the wreckage of their homes for anything of value to trade for basic necessities. For these people, the situation is not just a matter of hardship; it is one of survival.
Reconstruction as a Weapon
When the conflict escalated in March 2025, the town was still reeling from the destruction caused in 2024, and reconstruction had barely begun. At that time, the World Bank estimated the damage at around $11 billion, a figure that the Lebanese government, already on the verge of bankruptcy, could not hope to cover without external support. However, as now, no real aid materialized.
The lack of international assistance raises the possibility that reconstruction is being used as a tool to exert pressure on Hezbollah, forcing the group to disarm. This strategy has continued for over 15 months, with rebuilding efforts repeatedly targeted by Israeli forces. Construction equipment, factories, and even prefabricated homes have been destroyed, making it impossible for displaced families to return to their homes and rebuild.
By the time the latest conflict began, nearly 100,000 people were already displaced. The new wave of attacks has pushed that number well over a million. These displaced individuals have been forced to leave everything behind, including their homes, their livelihoods, and their sense of security.
The financial toll of this latest conflict is staggering, though officials admit they do not yet have a complete picture. Early estimates suggest the cost could reach as high as $20 billion. That would include not just the cost of rebuilding homes but also restoring infrastructure, replacing water facilities, and recovering agricultural land. In a country already struggling to make ends meet, the prospect of shouldering such costs is daunting.
Parts of southern Lebanon are now completely inaccessible due to the ongoing Israeli military occupation. In these areas, the destruction continues unabated—homes are being deliberately demolished, and olive groves and farmland are being set on fire. Despite condemnations from Lebanese officials and the existence of ceasefire agreements and other diplomatic frameworks, the violence persists.
As the sixth anniversary of the Beirut port explosion approaches, Lebanon is once again facing the need to rebuild. Just like in 2025, the destruction this year has come from Israel, which has repeatedly targeted areas under Hezbollah's influence. The cycle continues, with each new conflict adding yet another chapter to a long and painful history of destruction and loss.