Attachments
SUMMARY OF CRISIS AND KEY FINDINGS
After almost a year of hostilities across southern Lebanon, the conflict escalated on 23 September 2024.The events in recent days have been the most intense Israeli strikes since the 2006 war in Lebanon,
completely levelling dozens of buildings. Following the Beirut airstrike and the evacuation orders, at least 100 additional airstrikes hit across Lebanon. On 30 September, Israel launched what it has described as "limited, localised and targeted ground raids" in southern Lebanon, marking an escalation in its continuing offensive against Hezbollah.
As of 3 October, there has been 2083 deaths, including 127 children and 261 women, along with 9 869
injured. Many bodies remain under rubble, and numerous people are still missing. Those injured have
with severe injuries, often requiring surgical care. On 19 and 20 September, simultaneous attacks
against communications equipment in Lebanon—including pagers and two-way radios—killed 37 people
and injured more than 3 000.
Displacement now surpasses the 2006 war, triggered by intense Israeli strikes and orders for civilian
evacuations. Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon have affected around 1.2 million people, resulting in a
mass displacement. There are nearly 160 000 people in over 850 collective shelters, often in public
facilities like schools and agricultural centres. As of 2 October, Lebanon has recorded 608 509 internally displaced persons (IDPs), showing around 56% increase since 29 September. IDPs have sought safety in 1012 locations (villages or neighbourhoods) across 828 cadastres throughout Lebanon. A total of 284 894 Lebanese and Syrian individuals have departed Lebanon since 23 September.
The humanitarian consequences of the recent escalation across Lebanon are devastating, triggering
huge displacement, increased vulnerabilities, and heightened protection risks. People in Lebanon,
including refugees, were already experiencing high levels of poverty and food insecurity while having
limited access to services. Nearly 2 million Lebanese and Syrian refugees are estimated to be food
insecure. This number is expected to rise further. Damage to public infrastructure has been reported,
including 25 water facilities damaged affecting water supply over 360 000 people.
Given the severity of the current escalation in terms of casualties and mass displacements, there exist
major concerns about the repercussions for public health. Next to trauma and injuries, conflict is
exacerbating health risks by disrupting civilian infrastructure, causing displacements, decreasing food
security, increase pressure on water supplies, and reducing access to healthcare
At least 96 primary health care centres (PHCCs) and dispensaries, as well as three hospitals, have been
forced to close because of the conflict, severely limiting access to critical medical care in surrounding
areas. Additionally, MoPH reported damage to at least ten hospitals across the country. Additionally, 3
hospitals have been evacuated and 2 hospitals partially evacuated. Due to insecurity not limited to
South and Nabatieh governorates but also to Aarsal and mass displacements, several health facilities
are not operational due to lack of health care workers.
There has been a total of 35 attacks on healthcare. As of 2 October 2024, since 8 October last year, at
least 77 health workers have lost their lives in a series of attacks as the conflict in southern Lebanon
intensified, with a sharp rise in the number of damaged health facilities. Within 24 hours on the 3
October 2024, 28 health workers were killed, underscoring the alarming escalation of violence and its
devastating impact on those providing life-saving care.
Moreover, on 27 September night, air traffic at Rafic Hariri International Airport – the only operational
commercial airport in the country – came to a near standstill, with only a few flights operating. Most airlines have suspended flights to Lebanon for days or weeks due to the escalating conflict.
The Presidency of the Council of Ministers issued a memorandum declaring mourning for the Secretary
General of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, for three days, starting Monday 30 September 2024.
Lebanon’s financial and humanitarian situation ranks among the most severe crises in the world today.
The humanitarian situation in Lebanon continues to deteriorate, triggering increased poverty and
increasing needs. The country's economic collapse ranks among the worst globally, causing severe
inflation and unemployment, making living costs unaffordable for thousands, and creating acute
humanitarian needs.