Lebanon's finance minister puts 2026 war losses at more than $20 billion

In a report published on Thursday 30 July 2026, Lebanon's Finance Minister Yassine Jaber said the economic losses caused by the 2026 war amounted to more than $20 billion. He warned that on that basis the Lebanese economy could contract by up to 10 percent over the next year.

Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani said the agricultural sector alone had suffered $541 million in losses, covering agricultural equipment, land and harvests. "Months of production have been lost, as have the revenues those seasons would have generated," Hani said.

The scale of Lebanon's economic damage has become clearer since the signing of the "Framework Agreement" between Lebanon and Israel this month. Agriculture, a lifeline for much of the population and a key part of national food security, has been among the most affected sectors.