Iran-backed Hezbollah postpones conflict compensation

Hezbollah's war damage compensation for citizens displaced by the group's conflict with Israel, funded by Iran, are being postponed, according to a letter from a Lebanese micro-finance institution.

"For technical reasons, the payment of compensation bills is postponed until a maximum of February 10, 2025, and the other business of the institution continues as usual, including the disbursement of loans, withdrawals and deposits in accounts, and other business," read the letter by Hezbollah’s financial institution Al Qard Al Hassan.

The letter was revealed by Washington Institute senior fellow Hanin Ghaddar on X who alleges this is why Hezbollah is vying for control of the Finance Ministry in the new government, urging the prime minister to resist.

“They gave people checks that cannot be paid! That’s why they’re desperate to have the Ministry of Finance. And that’s exactly why Prime Minister Nawaf Salam should NOT comply,” she added.

In December, Hezbollah’s leader Naeem Qassem said that Iran has funded the bulk of aid distributed to Lebanese families affected by a 14-month conflict between Israel and the Tehran-backed group.

Families whose primary homes have been destroyed would eventually be paid $8,000 as compensation and between $4,000 to $6,000 for temporary accommodation for a year, depending on where they live.

"We thank the Islamic Republic of Iran, led by Imam Khamenei, the state, the people, and the blessed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for providing this generous support in the displacement process," Qassem said.

Hezbollah, designated a terror group by countries including the US and UK, was formed by the IRGC in 1982 and supported Gaza-based Hamas in its war against Israel a day after the Palestinian group launched the deadliest attack on the Jewish state in its history on October 7, 2023.