Lebanon: Flash Update #38 - Escalation of hostilities in Lebanon, as of 24 October 2024

HIGHLIGHTS

• 2,593 people killed and 12,119 injured since 8 October (MoPH).
• 833,391 people internally displaced since 8 October 2023, of which 52% female and 48% male (IOM).
• 191,692 people seeking refuge in 1,096 collective shelters (DRM).
• Two humanitarian convoys deliver critical life-saving aid to South and Nabatieh governorates.
• 16 LRC paramedics injured, and 7 ambulances damaged in month since 23 September.
• 800 million in pledges announced at Paris Conference on Lebanon.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

The magnitude of the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon continues to increase as wide-scale displacement due to hostilities persists. During the reporting period, the International Conference in Support of Lebanon’s People and Sovereignty in Paris aimed at supporting Lebanon took center stage. French President Emmanuel Macron opened by the conference, emphasizing the importance of an immediate ceasefire – recalling the joint initiative of France and the United States, as well as continued French support for Lebanon – announcing 100 million euro in assistance for the country. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed support from the countries in attendance, highlighting the urgent needs facing the country for which both emergency aid and support to national institutions responsible for basic services such as water, telecommunications and waste management. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (in a pre-recorded message) and Humanitarian Coordinator Imran Riza addressed the conference, warning of the catastrophic humanitarian situation, calling for an immediate ceasefire, unhindered access to humanitarian assistance, and heightened attention to the protection needs of civilians as well as additional funding for action in the immediate and medium term, as winter approaches. At the end of the conference, the French Government announced an estimated 800 million in pledges made by participating governments toward humanitarian assistance.

Airstrikes continued across the country, including in Nabatieh, Bekaa, Baalbek, South Lebanon and Mount Lebanon governorates, and the number of casualties increased to 2,593 people killed and more than 12,000 injured since 8 October 2023, according to the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH).

First responders are working in dangerous conditions as they continue to deploy teams to provide critical emergency aid to affected people and communities. The Lebanese Red Cross (LRC) reported that their teams encountered considerable danger while responding over the past month, with 16 paramedics injured and seven ambulances damaged in incidents in Taybeh, Sarbin, Jouaiya, Nabatieh and Umm al-Tut (South and Nabatieh Governorates). Most recently, on 23 October, one LRC team responding to airstrike casualties in Tyre came under fire, damaging two ambulances and injuring one rescuer. And, on 22 October in Nabatieh, southern Lebanon, three paramedics from the LRC were injured by shrapnel while attempting to rescue individuals affected by an airstrike.

UNFPA continues its services in Lebanon but deteriorating security conditions have forced the closure of several UNFPA-supported facilities, including six of 16 primary health care centres, one of nine mobile units, and five of 17 safe spaces for women and girls – all of which are no longer operational. A UNFPA-supported safe space for women and girls was destroyed when an airstrike hit a neighbouring building in the southern suburbs of Beirut on 20 October. Facilities that remain open are under increasing strain. The situation hinders access to health care and puts vulnerable groups at higher risk.

UNDP warns that the escalating hostilities in Lebanon are severely impacting people's lives and livelihoods, with the economy projected to shrink by as much as 9.2 per cent if the violence continues through the end of the year. This potential decline follows a 28 per cent contraction of the economy from 2018 to 2022 and would erase the economic stability gains made in 2023. UNDP noted that even if hostilities end by late 2024, the economy may still shrink further, with a projected contraction of 2.3 per cent in 2025 and 2.4 per cent in 2026. The economic losses caused by the 33-days conflict in 2006 led to an 8–10 per cent drop in Lebanon gross domestic product (GDP).

Casualties and Displacement

• Displacement continues to grow as airstrikes persist, accompanied by further forced displacement orders. As of 24 October, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) recorded 833,391 people displaced within the country since 8 October 2023, of which 52 per cent female and 48 per cent male.
• Some 191,692 of the displaced are staying in 1,096 approved shelters open, of which 928 (85 per cent) have reached their maximum capacity.
• Furthermore, approximately 425,000 people (30% Lebanese and 70% Syrians) have crossed into Syria, according to UNHCR/SARC and UNHCR has identified 19,252 Lebanese nationals arriving in Iraq.

Notable developments

• On 24 October, three Lebanese soldiers were killed in Yater, Bint Jbeil district, while they were evacuating the wounded from a previous strike. Three rescuers from the Islamic Health Committee were injured on the same day when their centre was struck in Sour.
• On 23 October a Lebanese Red Cross team responding to airstrike casualties in Tyre came under fire, with one rescuer injured and two ambulances damaged. The day before, three paramedics from the LRC were injured by shrapnel while attempting to rescue individuals affected by an airstrike in Nabatieh, southern Lebanon.
• Also on 23 October, Al-Mayadeen channel reported its office in Beirut had been targeted.
  On 22 October, 50 people were killed including women and children, in an Israeli strike on a house in Teffahta, Saida, in southern Lebanon.
• On 22 and 23 October, displacement orders were issued by the Israeli army to people in large areas of Tyre and Beirut’s southern suburbs, caused panic and fear among residents and triggering another wave of displacement.
• On 22 October, Bahman Hospital, located in Haret Hreik in the southern suburbs of Beirut, suffered significant damage following an airstrike nearby.