Lebanon faces multiple crises as 2024 draws to a close, including the aftermath of a destructive conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, a prolonged financial collapse since 2019, and ongoing political paralysis. The war, which erupted in October 2023, has left over 4,000 people dead and over 16,600 injured in Lebanon alone, causing significant damage to infrastructure and disrupting communication networks.
The conflict escalated after Hezbollah opened a support front for the Gaza Strip following Hamas’s attacks on Israel. The Israelis responded with a series of aerial strikes, targeting Hezbollah members’ pagers and radio communication devices, which caused widespread destruction and killed at least 42 people. The attack was followed by a series of assassinations of Hezbollah’s leadership, including secretary general Hassan Nasrallah.
The violence has had a significant impact on Lebanon’s economy, with the conflict causing $8.5 billion in combined physical damage and economic losses. The World Bank estimates that Lebanon’s real GDP growth will shrink by at least 6.6 percent in 2024 due to the ongoing crisis. Nearly 886,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon, and the country is struggling to recover from the implications of the hostile confrontation with Israel.
The political paralysis has also hindered efforts to implement structural reforms demanded by the International Monetary Fund to unlock much-needed financial assistance. The country remains without a president as parliament repeatedly failed to elect a successor to Michel Aoun, who left office in October 2022 at the end of his term, due to political deadlock.
A caretaker government led by Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati has been unable to form a new government, creating an unprecedented dual executive vacuum. Parliament is scheduled to convene on January 9 to attempt another presidential election, raising hopes of restoring the functioning of public institutions and reviving legislative activity.
The situation in Lebanon remains dire, with the country facing one of the worst crises in its modern history. The ongoing conflict, economic collapse, and political paralysis have left the country reeling, and it remains to be seen how 2025 will unfold for this fragile nation.
Source: https://www.bastillepost.com/global/article/4440262-lebanon-to-enter-2025-with-security-economic-political-challenges