Lebanon: Flash Update #4 - Escalation of hostilities in Lebanon, as of 8 March 2026

Situation Overview

Civilians – including women and children – continue to bear the brunt of the renewed escalation of hostilities. Hostilities continue to intensify, with a total of 1,015 incidents recorded by the DRM.

According to the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), at least 394 people killed and 1,130 injured since the escalation, including 21 per cent women and 22 per cent children. In the past 24 hours alone, 106 people were killed following more than a hundred airstrikes reportedly carried out by Israeli forces across South and Nabatieh governorates (both north and south of the Litani River), as well as in Baalbek, the Bekaa, and Beirut’s southern suburbs**.** The significant proportion of women and children among the casualties reflects the widespread exposure of civilians to the ongoing violence.

Displacement orders have further expanded geographically. In addition to the previously issued orders covering areas south of the Litani River and the southern suburbs of Beirut, Israeli forces extended the displacement orders to additional four villages north of the Litani River. This expansion is placing additional pressure on areas receiving displaced populations, contributing to overcrowding in collective shelters. Due to limited shelter capacity, many displaced people continue to remain in open public spaces, including along the seaside and on the streets. Mount Lebanon, Beirut, and Saida in south Lebanon continue to record the highest numbers of arrivals to collective shelters.

The escalation is also placing severe pressure on Lebanon’s health system. MoPH reports that at least 43 Primary Healthcare Centers are impacted, and five hospitals are closed, reducing access to essential and life-saving medical services. Damage to health infrastructure, combined with increased patient caseloads, shortages of medical supplies, and challenges for health workers to reach their workplaces safely, is significantly constraining the sector’s ability to respond to the growing number of trauma cases and other urgent medical needs. Reduced access to health services is particularly concerning for groups with specific health needs, including pregnant and lactating women, older persons, persons with disabilities, and people requiring ongoing treatment for chronic conditions.

Displacement under highly stressful conditions further heightens protection risks for civilians, particularly women, children, older persons, and persons with disabilities. According to National DRM, 117,228 displaced people are currently accommodated in 538 collective shelters, while many others remain temporarily staying in vehicles due to the limited availability of safe accommodation. Despite the Government decision that shelters are open for affected individuals from all nationalities, non-Lebanese are still facing challenges to access the sites. Overcrowded shelter conditions and disrupted family and community support networks increase risks related to safety, privacy, and access to services, particularly for women and girls, children, and persons with disabilities.

Ongoing escalation is also severely disrupting essential public services. Public schools and all campuses of the Lebanese University have been repurposed as collective shelters for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), interrupting learning for thousands of students. While educational institutions are exploring remote and online learning solutions, widespread displacement, limited access to electricity and internet connectivity, and infrastructure constraints continue to limit the effectiveness and coverage of these alternatives. Overall, the disruption is currently affecting thousands of students, raising concerns about prolonged interruptions to education and the psychosocial well-being of children and adolescents, particularly girls who may face additional barriers to continuing education during displacement. Children with disabilities may face additional barriers to accessing remote or alternative learning modalities during displacement.

Despite the volatile security environment, reports indicate that market systems remains largely functional in most areas, except those directly affected by hostilities or displacement orders. However, rising prices, inflation and potential supply disruptions remain significant concerns, particularly in the context of Lebanon’s ongoing economic crisis and levels of poverty. The Minister of Economy and Trade confirmed that the ministry is implementing measures to maintain the functioning of supply chains and prevent market disruptions, monopolistic practices, price manipulation, or exploitation of the current situation. Rising prices and income disruptions further constrain the ability of vulnerable households, including female-headed households and families caring for older persons or persons with disabilities, to meet basic needs. Loss of income opportunities disproportionately affect women, whose labour force participation remains low and who are also highly employed in informal and low-paid work.

Humanitarian partners are also reporting increased protection concerns among displaced populations, particularly affecting women and girls. In several locations, displaced women have encountered barriers when attempting to secure rental accommodation, including refusals by some landlords reportedly linked to visible religious identity. Such discriminatory practices further restrict safe housing options for vulnerable families and may force some displaced people to remain in overcrowded shelters or unsafe living conditions.