Lebanon: Flash Update #11 - Escalation of hostilities in Lebanon, (as of 23 March 2026)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Destruction of key bridges has cut off districts, isolating over 150,000 people and severely limiting humanitarian access.
• 64 attacks on healthcare resulted in 51 killed and 91 injured.
• Civilians face increasing protection concerns while damage to health, water, and power systems is worsening humanitarian conditions.
• Rapid, safe, and unimpeded humanitarian access to affected and hard-to-reach areas must be ensured.

Situation Overview

Hostilities continue to intensify across multiple areas of Lebanon, resulting in further deterioration of the humanitarian situation. Between 22 and 23 March, airstrikes targeted key crossings north and south of the Litani River, significantly disrupting movement and humanitarian access. While some Qasmieh crossings were affected, access to Tyre and Bint Jbeil remains possible but increasingly constrained and fragile.

On 23 March, the Qaaqaiyet el Jisr bridge – already partially damaged – was rendered fully inoperable, severing connectivity between Tyre and Nabatieh governorates. Additional strikes targeting the Delaffi bridge have further restricted movement between South Lebanon and West Bekaa, including Marjaayoun and Hasbaya. These attacks have effectively isolated over 150,000 individuals, including 4,688 IDPs currently sheltering in collective centers.

Damage to essential infrastructure is increasing. Airstrikes have impacted water pipelines in Marjaayoun and a power station in Sultaniye (Bint Jbeil district), raising risks of water shortages, electricity disruptions, and associated public health concerns. Hostilities remain widespread across Beirut’s southern suburbs, southern Lebanon, and the Bekaa, while artillery fire and ground incursions have been reported along several points of the Blue Line, including Khiam, Naqoura, Taybeh, and most recently Markaba.

Large scale displacement continues at a large scale amid escalating hostilities, repeated displacement orders, and new areas coming under attack. As of 23 March, approximately 133,674 people are sheltering in 645 collective sites, with Beirut and Mount Lebanon hosting the largest numbers. Many times more are estimated to be displaced outside formal shelters – consistent with previous escalations when only up to 20 per cent of displaced people stayed in collective sites.

Since the start of the escalation, displacement orders are estimated to cover 1,470 km² - approximately 14 per cent of Lebanon’s territory – impacting large areas of southern Lebanon, Beirut’s southern suburbs, and parts of the Bekaa.

Attacks on healthcare remain of grave concern. Since 2 March, the health sector has recorded 64 attacks on healthcare, resulting in 51 health workers killed and 91 injured, alongside significant damage to medical facilities. Disruption of primary and secondary healthcare services is leaving communities in high‑risk and isolated areas with extremely limited access to lifesaving care.

Humanitarian actors continue to call for respect for international humanitarian law. Civilian infrastructure, including transport networks, water systems, and power stations, is protected under IHL and must not be targeted. The safety of civilians, displaced populations and humanitarian staff must be ensured at all times.

Damage to key transport routes is severely restricting humanitarian access, impeding the delivery of essential supplies, and limiting the ability of civilians to move safely. Rapid, safe, and unimpeded humanitarian access to affected and hard-to-reach areas must be guaranteed.