Dr. Noa Ribon: The War over Rebuilding Southern Lebanon – Hezbollah vs. the Lebanese State

The article compares the Lebanese government's reconstruction model under Prime Minister Nawaf Salam with the compensation plan presented by Hezbollah this week. The government promotes an institutional path including army deployment, debris removal, restoration of basic services, and temporary housing, while Hezbollah offers direct payments of $12,000–$14,000 to displaced families. The article analyzes the political significance of both models and their impact on Shia public trust.

The article, by Dr. Noa Ribon, compares two competing approaches to rebuilding southern Lebanon after the war. The government of Nawaf Salam promotes an orderly state model including army and security deployment, road opening, debris removal, restoration of basic services, temporary and transitional housing, relying on international funding. In contrast, Hezbollah presented this week a direct compensation plan: $14,000 for families in Beirut and Dahieh, and $12,000 in other areas, including rent and furniture assistance, paid in four installments over a year. The article emphasizes that the key difference lies in the relationship: the government tries to return the resident to the state framework, while Hezbollah maintains a direct connection with the family through the amount, eligibility, and payment schedule. The article notes that after the 2006 war, Hezbollah succeeded in solidifying its status through rapid compensation, but this time the scale of destruction is larger, hundreds of thousands are still displaced, and the organization's financial capacity is under pressure. The government depends on external funding and unstable security conditions. The article suggests examining developments through three indicators: how many families will receive Hezbollah funds, how many will receive a government response, and within what timeframe.