Families of south Lebanon victims to receive $20,000 each

BEIRUT — The Council for South Lebanon has announced that it will provide $20,000 each to the families of those killed by Israeli attacks on Lebanon, most of whom are Hezbollah members. The cross-border fighting between Israel and Hezbollah is entering its eighth month, in parallel with Israel's war on Gaza following Hamas' Oct. 7 al-Aqsa Flood operation.

On Tuesday, the government allocated LL93 billion (roughly USD$1 million) to support those affected by the conflict in the South. Hashem Haidar, the head of the Council for the South, told L'Orient Today that $20,000 compensation would be given to each "martyr's" family, including families of Hezbollah fighters. The distribution of funds will follow Lebanese inheritance laws, which vary by sect.

In early May, the Council for the South, an official body tasked with assessing the destruction from the war, estimated that since Oct. 8, the cost of "damage to buildings and institutions stands at more than one billion dollars," according to an AFP report.

Infrastructure, including water, electricity, roads and health services have also suffered damage estimated at around an additional $500 million, according to the figures provided by Haidar.

Regarding the newly approved compensation, Haidar mentioned that the Council could begin disbursing funds before the conflict ends for families whose legal paperwork is complete, but didn't provide specifics regarding the application process families are meant to follow.

Payments will be made as soon as the necessary documents are prepared.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea criticized the caretaker government's decision to allocate these funds, arguing that Hezbollah made the decision unilaterally. Geagea's party, along with other political groups, has condemned Hezbollah's involvement in the conflict with Israel in southern Lebanon and the government's response to the situation.

On Thursday, Kataeb MP Nadim Gemayel called on the Council for South Lebanon to disclose details of the funds and cash assistance distributed since Oct. 7.

The conflict has resulted in 432 deaths in Lebanon since it began, among which 284 are Hezbollah members, which would require roughly $8 million in government compensation, although only about $1 million has been allocated so far.

The Finance Ministry could not immediately answer to how the funds would be sourced, since such money is not allocated in the 2024 State budget.