Lebanon’s Shia political bloc appears to be keeping public attention focused on reconstruction in a bid to deflect scrutiny from Hezbollah’s armed status, even though international donors link aid to disarmament of the Iran-aligned group. Large swathes of southern Lebanon were heavily damaged during the recent Hezbollah-Israel conflict, and the state, struggling with a chronic financial crisis, lacks the resources to rebuild without international assistance.

Hezbollah and its ally, the Amal Movement, have suggested that the government led by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is slow to restore war-torn areas, implying alignment with an Israeli agenda to displace southern residents, a claim that has drawn surprise from Salam. The two parties recently threatened to block Lebanon’s 2026 budget unless it includes explicit allocations for reconstruction.

A member of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc, Hassan Fadlallah, said at a commemoration in the town of Chaqra that the government had yet to include reconstruction funds in the general budget, despite partial or structural repairs being possible as interim measures. He added that parliamentary resistance would block a budget lacking clear provisions for rebuilding.

Fadlallah said Hezbollah remains committed to completing its reconstruction and housing efforts, with 80 percent of the first phase already finished. He said remaining work, particularly in border villages, would proceed despite US sanctions, financial pressure and attempts to impose an economic blockade. He insisted that past obstacles had not hindered reconstruction and would not alter current priorities.

He framed holding on to land and rebuilding as a form of resistance, while criticising what he described as the government’s lack of support for southern communities. “Stopping attacks and rebuilding should be a national priority,” he said, adding that some ministers appear detached from these needs.

Speaker of Parliament and Amal leader Nabih Berri has similarly warned that the 2026 budget will not pass without a clear reconstruction provision. Berri argued that economic recovery is impossible while southern areas remain under attack and reconstruction is stalled. He criticised government neglect of border villages including Ayta ash Shab, Kfar Kila, Houla, Yarine, Marwahin, Dhahira, Meiss El Jabal, Blida, Khiam, Yaroun, Maroun El Ras and other destroyed communities, describing residents returning to farm their fields and sleep in ruins “as if the south were not part of Lebanon.”

Berri urged all ministries to ensure minimal government presence in the south to prevent residents from feeling excluded and reiterated that reconstruction must not be tied to political concessions.

Salam responded by highlighting steps his government had already taken. Within 48 hours of winning parliamentary confidence, he and several ministers visited Tyre, Khiam and Nabatieh to assess conditions. Given limited state resources and the absence of external support, the ministry of social affairs has been providing monthly cash assistance to 67,000 families affected by the war and rental subsidies to 10,000 displaced families. Ministries of communications, public works, transport, energy and water have begun repairs to restore essential services.

The Council for the South and the Supreme Relief Commission have been tasked with accelerating reconstruction work, with funds already allocated. Salam also said the government had secured a US$250 million World Bank loan for infrastructure rebuilding, pending parliamentary approval.

Economic analysts say the government is doing what it can, but reconstruction costs are estimated at around US$11 billion, far beyond state capacity without external aid. They note that such support is unlikely unless Hezbollah moves toward disarmament.