Lebanon: Flash Update #40 - Escalation of hostilities in Lebanon, as of 31 October 2024

This report is produced by OCHA Lebanon in collaboration with humanitarian partners and the Inter Sector Coordination Group. It covers the period from 29 to 31 October 2024.

HIGHLIGHTS

• 2,867 people killed and 13,047 injured since 8 October 2023. 178 children killed and 1,173 injured among total casualties reported (MoPH).

• 842,648 people internally displaced of whom 52% female and 48% male (IOM).

• 36 attacks on healthcare facilities, with 85 health workers killed and 51 injured while on duty, between 17 September and 31 October 2024 (WHO).

• Mass displacement underway from areas in Baalbeck and Nabatieh following displacement orders issued by the Israeli army.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

The humanitarian situation in Lebanon has reached levels that exceed the severity of the 2006 war, with ongoing hostilities resulting in a toll of 2,867 deaths (including 178 children and 560 women killed) and over 13,000 injuries since 8 October 2023, according to national authorities. The situation has escalated anew in recent days, with the Israeli army issuing displacement orders for residents of Baalbek and Nabatieh, shortly before airstrikes targeted these locations. The toll on the population has been exacerbated by the destruction of critical infrastructure including healthcare, with many hospitals overwhelmed and reportedly urgently requesting blood donations to address the critical influx of casualties. The Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Riza, condemned attacks on civilians and infrastructure, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities to protect vulnerable populations.

Consecutive displacement orders on 30 and 31 October for Baalbek triggered widespread panic and the displacement of civilians on the roads towards Zahle and Akkar. Many people spent the night in their vehicles, facing harsh weather and security conditions as they searched for safety. Similar displacement orders were issued in various localities in Nabatieh, Tyre, and Beirut’s southern suburbs, further intensifying the crisis. However, such displacement orders are not consistently issued ahead of every strike, leaving civilians uncertain and vulnerable in the face of ongoing hostilities.

Also on 31 October, the Israeli army issued its first-ever displacement order for a refugee camp – Rashidieh Palestinian camp – along with 10 villages in Southern Lebanon, forcing residents into difficult decisions amid limited options for safe refuge. This follows strikes over the past month on two other camps for Palestinian refugees, undertaken without warning nor displacement orders.

During a visit to Akkar governorate on 30 October, the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) warned of mounting challenges as new displacement adds pressure on Akkar's already limited resources. With nearly 70,000 displaced people already hosted in Akkar, the HC noted that healthcare, waste management, and shelter services are now further strained, impacting local host communities.

Medical first responders continue to operate in highly dangerous situations. On 29 October, according to the Lebanese Red Cross (LRC), two ambulances were damaged while they were responding to assist people injured by a previous strike in Bayout al-Siyad town, Tyre District. This was followed by four separate incidents in South Lebanon on 31 October targeting ambulances of the Al-Rissala Scouts and the Islamic Health Committee, leading to the deaths of six first responders, according to the Ministry of Public Health.

UNFPA reports that the intensified conflict in Lebanon has impacted over 11,000 pregnant women, with 1,300 expected to give birth imminently despite massive infrastructure losses and a health system on the edge. UNFPA is supporting maternal health across Lebanon and Syria, providing critical medical, psychological, and logistical support to displaced and vulnerable women amidst the ongoing crisis.

UNICEF has issued a warning about the devastating physical and emotional impacts of the conflict on children, noting that the war has left children traumatized, exhibiting profound emotional and physical distress, including heightened anxiety, aggression, and sleep disruptions. Since 4 October 2024, at least one child has been killed and 10 injured daily in the country. While UNICEF has provided psychological support to thousands, it stresses that true recovery can only begin with a permanent ceasefire, ensuring safe access to essential services for Lebanon’s children.

According to the FAO-WFP Hunger Hotspots report published on 31 October, Lebanon’s food insecurity is set to worsen significantly due to intensifying conflict and economic strain, putting Lebanon on the list of hotspots of very high concern. From April to September 2024, 1.3 million people (23 per cent of the population) faced high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above), including 85,000 in emergency conditions (IPC Phase 4), especially in Akkar, Baalbek, Tripoli, Saida, Zahle, and el MiniehDennie. The report urges expanded food aid, cash support, and agricultural assistance to address the needs of communities affected by Lebanon’s escalating crisis.

The ongoing conflict is deepening Lebanon's economic crisis, with WFP reporting on the potential contraction of gross domestic production (GDP) of up to 15.6 per cent. Key sectors such as tourism and agriculture are severely impacted, exacerbating inflation and destabilizing supply chains. FAO has reported that the escalation of the conflict is worsening the hardships facing agriculture-dependent communities, intensifying an already severe food security crisis nationwide. More than 1,900 hectares of farmland in South and Nabatieh governorates have been damaged or remain unharvested due to the ongoing conflict.