A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect on November 24, aiming to end over a year of hostilities ignited by the Gaza conflict. The escalation began in September when Israel launched an offensive against Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group.
The human toll has been significant. At least 3,768 people have died in Lebanon, with 15,699 wounded, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. The vast majority of casualties occurred after Israel’s offensive. Hezbollah has not updated its casualty figures since September but had reported 500 fighter deaths before that. Israeli sources estimate Hezbollah’s total losses at 2,450 fighters. The conflict also claimed 45 Israeli civilian lives, with 73 soldiers killed in northern Israel, the Golan Heights, and southern Lebanon.
The economic destruction is immense. In Lebanon, housing damage is estimated at $2.8 billion, with 99,000 homes either partially or fully destroyed. Areas controlled by Hezbollah, such as Beirut’s southern suburb, have been heavily damaged by Israeli strikes. Agriculture losses are pegged at $124 million, with total losses surpassing $1.1 billion. In Israel, property damage exceeds $273 million, particularly in areas near the Lebanese border, hit by Hezbollah rockets.
Displacement has been widespread, with over 886,000 people displaced within Lebanon and 540,000 fleeing to Syria, according to the UNHCR and IOM. The war has left a trail of devastation, costing lives, homes, and livelihoods on both sides.
Also read: Hezbollah Rejects Ceasefire Conditions as US Envoy Pushes for Truce in Lebanon
