Lebanon: Hezbollah Announces Disbursing Aid to Those Displaced by the War with Israel Despite US Blockade

Hezbollah began on Monday, November 2, distributing the first financial aid that the pro-Iranian movement had promised to displaced families and owners of homes that were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable following the resumption of the war with Israel. This move comes despite attempts by the United States to dry up the Shiite movement's funding sources.

Published on: 02/11/2026 - 19:06

Two centers established in the Nabatiyeh region of southern Lebanon began on Monday distributing in cash the first installment of an annual aid payment of $12,000 designated for families that lost their homes, reports our correspondent in Beirut, Paul Khalifeh.

In Beirut and its southern suburbs, affected residents will receive $14,000 spread over one year. Hezbollah explained in a statement that it hopes to complete the disbursement of the first installment to 90% of the beneficiaries within 40 days. Hezbollah had announced that it would distribute this aid in four installments over one year, without specifying the source of funding or the number of beneficiaries.

This vast compensation project for people displaced by the war is taking place despite tough sanctions imposed by the United States with the compliance of Lebanese authorities. The latter have outlawed Hezbollah's financial structure—known as al-Qard al-Hassan—and seized millions of dollars intended for the Shiite movement originating from Turkey and other countries, as part of their declared decision to disarm Hezbollah.

American and Arab media outlets had reported that Iran succeeded in transferring $200 million to Hezbollah in early September, even though Washington had imposed an economic blockade on Tehran.

The daily al-Akhbar, which is close to the Shiite party, claims that 50,000 families will benefit from the compensation project valued at $600 million.

Also read: "Hezbollah maintains links with criminal networks across Europe"

"Gift from the Iranian People and Hezbollah"

In December 2024, emerging from an initial war launched by the group against Israel in support of Palestinian Hamas, it had announced the allocation of similar aid worth $77 million to displaced persons, presented as a "gift from the Iranian people and Hezbollah."

The violent war waged by Israel since 2023 in response to Hezbollah's attacks has destroyed or damaged more than 290,000 homes, according to provisional official estimates, particularly in the south of the country and in Beirut's southern suburbs, the stronghold of the Shiite movement.

Since June, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Washington and Tehran, along with a framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel sponsored by the United States, which notably provides for disarming Hezbollah. These were intended to halt hostilities, but Israel has never stopped its operations, attacks, and strikes in the area, regularly violating the ceasefire.

Also read: South Lebanon: Residents of enclaved Christian villages worried about the upcoming end of UNIFIL's mandate

Newsletter: Receive all international news directly in your inbox

Follow all international news by downloading the RFI app