Lebanon: Flash Update #26 - Escalation of hostilities in South Lebanon, as of 06 September 2024

HIGHLIGHTS

• 113,054 individuals (52% females) have been displaced from South Lebanon due to the ongoing hostilities as of 3 September (source: DTM).
• 2,566 casualties have been reported, including 589 deaths. Among these, at least 137 civilian deaths have been confirmed (source: MoPH, OHCHR).
• 4,000 residential buildings have been completely destroyed, while 20,000 others have been severely damaged since October 2023, according to the Council for South Lebanon.
• On 2 September, an Israeli airstrike killed two civilians traveling in a car along Lebanon's southern coast in Naqoura

SITUATION OVERVIEW

The recent surge in hostilities on 25 August, marked by the heaviest exchange of fire since October 2023, did not result in a significant humanitarian impact. However, the ongoing escalation of hostilities in Lebanon continues to severely affect civilians. Notably, Israeli targeted operations have expanded, with drone strikes hitting Saida, Lebanon’s third-largest city, for the first time in August.

To date, at least 137 civilians have been killed in Lebanon since October 2023. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), the total number of casualties stands at 2,566, including 589 fatalities.

On 2 September, an airstrike along the southern coast near Naqoura killed two civilians, one of whom was a contractor for the United Nations peacekeeping force, UNIFIL. On 3 September, another UNIFIL contractor was wounded by gunfire in Khiyam (Marjayoun) and was evacuated by peacekeepers to the hospital. In a statement, UNIFIL expressed deep concern over the increasing number of civilian casualties and reiterated that civilians must not be targeted. On 4 September, Israeli artillery fire killed a woman and injured two others, including a child, in Qabrikha (Marjayoun).

According to the latest statistics from the Council for South Lebanon, 4,000 residential buildings have been completely destroyed, while 20,000 others have been severely damaged since October 2023. Additionally, data from the National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS) indicated that, as of mid-August, 1,842 hectares of land have been scorched by shelling.

As of 03 September, Lebanon has recorded 113,054 internally displaced persons (IDPs), showing less than 1% decrease since 27 August.

• Around 78 percent of IDPs are currently living in host settings, while 19% have opted for rental housing. Another 2 percent have relocated to their secondary residences. Around 1 percent are housed in 15 collective shelters. Of the 78 percent in host settings, 26,902 are co-living with non-internally displaced families, while 60,860 reside separately. According to IOM, 21 percent of the 87,762 individuals in host settings live in overcrowded conditions.
• 1,243 displaced people are hosted in 15 collective shelters, with five located in Tyre, five in Hasbaya, four in Nabatieh, and one in Saida.
• 35 percent of IDPs are children (< 18 years), while 34 percent are female adults, and 31 percent are male adults.