Despite Hezbollah’s repeated assurances to its supporters about compensation for war-related damages, frustration is growing within its community over delays in payments and allegations of favoritism, Asharq Al-Awsat reported. Dissatisfaction, initially subdued, is now surfacing publicly, with affected individuals voicing grievances online and within local communities.

Residents in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and Beirut’s southern suburbs have expressed discontent with what they perceive as inequitable distribution of compensation. Many accuse Hezbollah of prioritizing party affiliates while neglecting others.

S. Abdullah, a resident of Khiyam and the southern suburbs of Beirut, criticized the lack of transparency in the process.

“Neither my family nor I have received a single dollar,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat. “Only party members seem to benefit, while others are ignored despite applying multiple times.”

Abdullah’s frustration stems from the extensive damage to his family’s homes, which remain uninhabitable. He also revealed that his plans for a tourism project in Khiyam had been derailed, leaving him with significant financial losses.

“We’re managing to pay rent, but it’s unacceptable to be dragged into a war and then face empty promises and blatant favoritism,” he said.

He further alleged that “most of those who received aid were the first to flee Lebanon and didn’t endure the hardships others faced.” According to Abdullah, this sentiment is widely shared but rarely voiced openly due to fear of reprisal.

Hezbollah’s policy requiring affected families to repair damages upfront and then submit receipts for reimbursement has exacerbated the struggles of low-income households. Many families lack the financial means to carry out repairs, leaving their homes in disrepair.

Umm Ahmed, a resident of southern Lebanon, described her struggle to Asharq Al-Awsat: “Our home sustained moderate damage, but it’s still livable. My husband earns $400 a month, which barely covers food and school fees for our children. Where are we supposed to find $1,000 to make repairs and wait for reimbursement?”

Samia, another affected resident, criticized the inadequacy of housing allowances.

“Before the war, my rent was $300. Now, it’s between $600 and $700, if I can even find a place,” she said. Having lost her home in the south and her husband’s income, Samia also couldn’t afford to enroll her children in school. “We’ve always supported the cause, but we have the right to voice our suffering,” she added.

In response to the growing criticism, Hezbollah issued a statement on Monday outlining its ongoing reconstruction efforts. The party categorized damages into three types: complete destruction, structural assessments, and partial repairs. According to the statement, assessments of approximately 4,350 completely destroyed homes in southern Lebanon have been completed, with detailed reports finalized for 640 cases.

For homes requiring structural assessments, 250 units at risk of collapse were identified, and files have been submitted to a central committee for further review. Regarding repairs, Hezbollah reported processing 25,000 forms, with payments initiated for 5,000 cases.

The statement also highlighted expedited efforts to address partially damaged properties, such as broken windows and doors, enabling families to return to their homes quickly. Families with completely destroyed homes, it added, are receiving housing allowances and furniture compensation.

Hezbollah concluded by emphasizing its plans to expand its data processing team to accelerate pending claims, aiming to complete all cases within a short timeframe.