Hizbullah Begins Compensation for Israeli Strike Damages; Hopes for Continued Truce

Senior Hizbullah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah expressed hope on Tuesday for the continuation of the recent truce with Israel and announced the initiation of compensation payments to those affected by the Israeli strikes in south Lebanon. This statement follows weeks of intense hostilities between Hizbullah and Israel, the worst since 2006. The violence on Lebanon’s southern border was sparked when the Iran-backed armed Shiite group fired guided rockets and artillery shells at Israeli positions in the Shebaa Farms area on October 8, one day after another Iran-backed group, Hamas, infiltrated Israeli communities near the Gaza Strip border and carried out mass atrocities there.

The violence along the Israel-Lebanon border, which led to tens of thousands fleeing their homes in both countries, resulted in the deaths of approximately 100 people, including 80 Hizbullah fighters. Since the temporary truce agreement reached last Friday, cross-border violence has ceased.

Fadlallah, after meeting with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, reported that Hizbullah’s survey indicated significant damage in Lebanon, including the destruction of 37 residential buildings and considerable harm to 1,500 homes. Mikati agreed that the government would provide additional compensation, including for destroyed cars and olive groves.