Lebanese Businesses Face Uncertain Future Amid War Damage

A mangled and fractured metal sign, reading “Spare parts. Jeep Cherokee,” protrudes from a three-story mound of debris and burnt belongings in southern Beirut. This sign is the sole remaining evidence that the ground floor of the demolished structure once housed a bustling car parts dealership. This dealership is among numerous businesses obliterated by intensive Israeli bombing in Dahieh, a southern suburb of the capital predominantly controlled by Hezbollah. Imad Abdelhak, observing the damaged building, stated, “We were so confident we wouldn’t be hit, because of the nature of the people here – ordinary, people, business owners.” Although Abdelhak’s adjacent garage largely withstood the air strike, he was awaiting assessment to determine if the entire building would require demolition due to the damage. Across Lebanon, entrepreneurs are struggling in the aftermath of a fierce conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which resulted in Israeli bombs striking residential, commercial, and industrial areas nationwide, demolishing shops, warehouses, and inventories. A ceasefire, largely maintained and brokered by the US and France, ended the hostilities last week, yet for many Lebanese business owners and employees, the difficulties are just commencing. Ibrahim Mortada, another car parts dealer in Dahieh whose premises were struck, declared, “I have lost $20,000 and my only source of income.” He added, “I have no idea how we can survive.” Similar to Abdelhak, Mortada was awaiting an engineering evaluation of the building. However, the structure’s instability was evident to observers below, with the upper seven floors having been obliterated by a direct impact. Large concrete sections and loose debris dangled perilously above Mortada as he tried to salvage items from his property. “My business has been open here for 23 years,” he stated somberly. “We are counting on God to help us now.” Business proprietors in Dahieh and other areas are also relying on Hezbollah, the influential Lebanese political and militant organization. Hezbollah announced it would commence damage assessments for homes and businesses this week, and distribute funds to assist individuals with rent, new furniture purchases, and initial reconstruction efforts. On Wednesday in Nabatieh, a southern city where its Ottoman-era market and adjacent businesses suffered total destruction, residents were still anticipating the arrival of Hezbollah’s assessment teams. Niran Ali, a 56-year-old woman whose shop, Zen Baby Fashion, and nearly all its inventory were gone, commented, “Nobody has contacted us – nobody from the government, nobody from any group.” While examining the debris, Ali spotted a pink, soot-stained pair of girls’ tracksuit bottoms suspended from a steel girder emerging from the pile. “These were mine,” she remarked, tracing her finger over the darkened material. “Maybe they are the only thing left of my business.” Similar to other Nabatieh residents, Ali was aware that Hezbollah intended to start by evaluating homes (the group has committed $5,000 per household for rent assistance and $8,000 for furniture replacement) before proceeding to businesses, where the financial losses are considerably greater. Jalal Nasser, owner of a substantial complex comprising a coffee shop, restaurant, and library, came back to the city on the ceasefire’s initial day to discover his complex reduced to a burnt shell by a significant air strike across the street. He estimated his losses at up to $250,000. He placed a small table and chair at the edge of the building’s remains, facing the main street, and smoked his shisha. He stated, “To give people hope”. Regarding the source of reconstruction funds, he shrugged and commented, “that is the big question.” He added, “But we are waiting for Hezbollah. I’m sure they will give.” The World Bank estimates that this conflict has inflicted at least $8.5bn in damage upon Lebanon’s economy. This sum would be substantial for any comparable nation, but for Lebanon, it follows a 2019 financial crisis and a destructive port explosion the subsequent year. Following the 2006 conflict with Israel, funds from Iran and Gulf states flowed into Lebanon for reconstruction. Currently, it is uncertain whether similar financial aid will materialize. Nasser Yasin, the environment minister and head of the government’s crisis cell, informed the BBC on Wednesday, “There is nothing yet in terms of allocation for reconstruction.” He continued, “We have some good indications, some pledges from friends of Lebanon.” Yasin concluded, “But we estimate we are going to need billions of dollars this time. The level of destruction is probably six to 10 times what it was in 2006.” Israel has stated that its strikes on Nabatieh were directed exclusively against Hezbollah, not the Lebanese populace. Yasin accused the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) of “urbicide” due to the extensive damage inflicted upon the city. During a Wednesday afternoon visit to Nabatieh, Imran Riza, the UN’s deputy special co-ordinator for Lebanon, informed the BBC that the scope of necessary work was “enormous.” He added, “The past two and a half months, particularly, have been massively destructive.” Riza concluded, “It is a very long road back.” Nabatieh’s historic market, approximately 500 years old, has faced repeated Israeli attacks since 1978. However, this instance resulted in complete destruction, unlike prior assaults. Yusuf Mouzzain, proprietor of a clothes shop in the market, stated, “This is the worst for Nabatieh, the worst war we have seen.” Inside his shop, a small number of garments remained on a rail, covered in soot. He estimated his damages at approximately $80,000. In 2006, Hezbollah provided a substantial amount to business owners who were impacted. This time, he was unsure what assistance they would get, or from whom. He remarked, “But we have lost everything,” adding, “So someone has to give us something.” Additional reporting was provided by Joanna Majzoub, with photographs by Joel Gunter. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Information regarding their approach to external linking is available.