Lebanese Finance Minister Yassin Jaber said the country can allocate $500–600 million in emergency funds to meet the basic needs of residents gradually returning to villages in southern Lebanon, according to a report by Kan 11 citing the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar. Jaber said the situation now is fundamentally different from after the 2024 ceasefire, when no funds were available to assist displaced returnees.
Lebanese Finance Minister Yassin Jaber stated on Tuesday that Lebanon is able to allocate between $500 million and $600 million in emergency aid to support citizens gradually returning to villages in the south. Jaber made the remarks to the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, as reported by Kan 11's Arab Desk.
Jaber highlighted that the current situation is "completely different" from the period following the November 2024 ceasefire declaration, when no funds were available for displaced residents returning home. The statement signals an improvement in Lebanon's fiscal capacity, though it remains unclear whether the funds come from state reserves, foreign assistance, or other sources.
As The Zioneer has previously reported, the return of southern Lebanese civilians is taking place amid extensive destruction in former Hezbollah strongholds, and against the backdrop of stalled implementation of the ceasefire framework agreed in late 2024. The Lebanese presidency has proposed a gradual demilitarization of parts of the south, while the US is reportedly considering allowing the Lebanese army to deploy south of the Litani River alongside an Israeli withdrawal. The financial pledge, if realized, would address basic humanitarian needs but does not cover reconstruction of damaged infrastructure.
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