Lebanon’s Finance Minister Yassine Jaber has warned that the country’s financial losses from the ongoing Israel-Lebanon conflict have already exceeded $20 billion and could reach $25 billion if the fighting continues. The statement was reported by correspondent Zeina Khodr, citing the minister’s assessment of the escalating economic toll.

Jaber cautioned that the full extent of the economic and social damage will only become clear once the conflict ends, particularly when displaced residents begin returning to their devastated communities. He noted that the destruction of infrastructure, housing, and local economies will make the country’s reconstruction process significantly more difficult in the long term.

Analysts cited in the report said that if the conflict drags on, Lebanon’s economy could face an even deeper crisis, with recovery potentially taking many years.