In the aftermath of recent airstrikes, business owners in southern Beirut and other parts of Lebanon are grappling with the immense task of rebuilding their lives. Among the destruction lies a crumpled sign advertising spare parts for vehicles, the only remnant of a once-thriving car parts dealership.

Imad Abdelhak, whose garage narrowly survived the strikes, described the shock of the devastation. “We were confident we wouldn’t be hit because of the nature of the area – ordinary people and business owners,” he said, surveying the wreckage. For others like Ibrahim Mortada, another car parts dealer, the damage was total. “I’ve lost $20,000 and my only source of income,” he shared, visibly distressed.

Across Lebanon, businesses large and small have been reduced to rubble. In the southern city of Nabatieh, the damage to its historic market and surrounding businesses has left the local economy in shambles. One shop owner, Niran Ali, pointed to a pink tracksuit bottom amid the debris. “Maybe they are the only thing left of my business,” she said.

The economic impact of the conflict is staggering. The World Bank estimates the damage to Lebanon's economy at $8.5 billion, compounding the hardships from a financial crisis and previous disasters in recent years.

Local initiatives to assess and support reconstruction have begun, with promises of financial aid for damaged homes and businesses. However, uncertainty looms over the availability of funds for rebuilding on such a large scale. The government has expressed concerns about the enormous resources needed, while initial pledges from international donors remain unfulfilled.

For now, business owners like Jalal Nasser, who lost a $250,000 complex, find solace in small acts of resilience. Sitting at a table outside his destroyed property, he said, “This is to give people hope.”

The challenges ahead are daunting. Experts and officials stress the need for coordinated international support to address the destruction, which some say surpasses the devastation of previous conflicts. As the dust settles, the people of Lebanon face a long road to recovery, determined to rebuild despite the uncertainty.