Lebanon: Flash Update #36 - Escalation of hostilities in Lebanon, as of 17 October 2024

HIGHLIGHTS

• 2,412 killed and 11,285 injured since 8 October (MoPH).
• 779,613 persons internally displaced since 8 October 2023, of which 52% female and 48% male (IOM).
• 190,882 people seeking refuge in 1,096 collective shelters, of which 900 (82%) have already reached capacity (DRM).
• Nabatieh airstrike killed 16 people, including the mayor and members of the Disaster Risk Reduction Unit, and injured 52 (MoPH).
• First laboratory-confirmed cholera case detected in Akkar (MoPH).

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Lebanon remains engulfed in a worsening humanitarian crisis as Israeli airstrikes continue to expand across the country targeting more areas with devastating impact on civilians and key infrastructure essential for daily life. Over the past week, Bekaa Governorate experienced intense airstrikes with displacement orders issued for the first time – even though the region has been struck multiple times before.

A devastating series of airstrikes on 16 October 2024 at the Nabatieh municipality killed 16 people and injured 52 individuals. Among those killed, the mayor and members of the local Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Unit, who were gathered at the municipality building for a relief management meeting, highlighting the worsening impact on local governance and relief operations. The attack sowed further panic and anxiety amongst the population, with authorities reporting that more than 3,000 of the remaining 12,000 residents of Nabatieh have now fled the district. Both the UN Special Coordinator and the Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon condemned the airstrikes in their statements, calling for urgent need to uphold International Humanitarian Law to protect civilians and humanitarian workers.

Casualties and impacts of the conflict are rising. The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reports a total of 2,412 deaths and 11,285 injuries since 8 October 2023. The exchange of fire has severely impacted healthcare, with 45 attacks against health care recorded to date, resulting in 95 health workers killed while on duty and 77 injured. These losses further hinder access to critical medical services, making it even more challenging for civilians to receive essential care. Due to insecurity, nearly half – 100 of 207 primary health posts and clinics in conflict-affected areas – are closed, as well as six hospitals completely closed and four partially operating which is impacting the service delivery.

On 16 October, the Ministry of Public Health confirmed first Cholera case in Akkar Governorate, since the October 2022-June 2023 outbreak was declared over. Investigations are underway, with health authorities collecting samples from the patient’s contacts and actively searching for additional cases. WHO has activated a preparedness and response plan to strengthen surveillance and contact tracing. Containment measures have been initiated to address the potential public health crisis in the context of an already overwhelmed healthcare system.