Lebanon: Flash Update #44 - Escalation of hostilities in Lebanon, as of 14 November 2024

This report is produced by OCHA Lebanon in collaboration with humanitarian partners and the Inter Sector Coordination Group. It covers the period from 12-14 November 2024.

HIGHLIGHTS

• 3,386 people killed and 14,417 injured since 8 October 2023, including at least 220 children killed (MoPH).
• UNICEF highlights that 80 per cent of the 220 children killed in Lebanon over the past year have been killed in the last 50 days alone.
• 881,326 people internally displaced of whom 52% female and 48% male (IOM).
• Between 11 and 14 November alone, 67 health workers were killed and 72 injured in 31 attacks. Since 8 October 2023, a total of 134 attacks on healthcare facilities, with 212 health workers killed and 195 injured while on duty (WHO).
• Two Civil Defense centers were hit by Israeli airstrikes in Baalbeck El-Hermel and South governorates, killing close to 30 first responders.
• Of the $426 million requested in the Flash Appeal, only 23.5% has been received, according to preliminary information reported through the Lebanon Aid Tracking (LAT).

881K people internally displaced
528K people crossing into Syria
3K people killed
14K people injured
23.5% funding of Flash Appeal (LAT)

SITUATION OVERVIEW

The conflict in Lebanon has led to growing displacement, a rise in civilian casualties, and significant damage to infrastructure. This reporting period saw an alarming increase in the number of children killed and intensified attacks on densely populated areas, particularly in Beirut’s southern suburbs during the past days.

Between 12 and 14 November, a series of Israeli airstrikes completely destroyed a number of buildings and have forced many residents to flee from their homes. Displacement orders were issued for more than 30 buildings in the southern suburbs of Beirut, some of which were issued near midnight, and often lacking clear guidance. In addition, forced displacement affected entire localities in the southern part of the country, with at least 14 localities receiving blanket displacement orders between 12 and 14 November. South Lebanon, Nabatieh, Bekaa, Baalbeck-Hermel, and Mount Lebanon governorates were heavily affected.

On 13 and 14 November, intensified attacks hit Beirut's southern suburbs, with two overnight strikes on Burj al-Barajneh and Haret Hreik shortly after displacement orders were issued by the Israeli army. One of those airstrikes was close to Beirut’s airport while a civilian aircraft was on the runway on 14 November. Additionally, airstrikes on 14 November killed at least 13 children in Dawhit Aramoun, Aley in Mount Lebanon, Baalchmay in Baabda district, Mount Lebanon, and Joun, Chouf in Mount Lebanon, according to MoPH. UNICEF has called for those with influence to take all possible actions to push for an immediate ceasefire, highlighting that 80 per cent of all children killed in Lebanon over the past year have been killed in the last 50 days alone. By 14 November, the overall death toll since 8 October 2023 had risen to 3,386 people, according to MoPH.

A significant incident on 14 November, was the Israeli airstrikes reportedly hitting two Lebanese Civil Defense centers. One strike hit the Civil Defence center in Douris, Baalbeck El-Hermel Governorate, killing 13 first responders, and the other strike impacted their center in Arab Seleem, South Governorate, killing at least 16 paramedics according to the Lebanese Civil Defense.

The Health sector reports that the ongoing destruction of hospitals, ambulances, and attacks on healthcare workers is critically impacting life-saving and essential health services. Across the country, 53 health facilities and eight hospitals are closed. In locations such as Nabatieh Governorate, where six hospitals have been forced to close, the impact on access to life-saving care and public health is extensive. Between 11 and 14 November alone, 67 health workers were killed and 72 injured in 31 attacks, bringing the total number of health workers killed to 212 and attacks on health facilities to 134 since October 2023. In addition, some Health sector partners reported access challenges for public health care centers satellite units (medical mobile units) staff in conflict-affected areas, Aarsal, South and Nabatieh governorates, while others reported facing continued difficulties in ensuring beneficiaries' access to health centers that were being targeted.

UNIFIL patrol was attacked on 14 November in South Lebanon. The mission has reported that after discovering an ammunition cache near Qalaouiyah, Beint Jbeil, peacekeepers were fired upon by unidentified individuals before moving to safety with no injuries. UNIFIL called the incident a serious violation of international law and urged the Lebanese authorities to conduct a full investigation into the incident. On 13 November, the UN Security Council urged all parties to respect the safety of UNIFIL’s peacekeeping mission in Lebanon.

According to the World Bank’s recently released Lebanon Interim Damage and Loss Assessment (DaLA), damages to physical structures alone amount to US$3.4 billion and economic losses have reached US$5.1 billion. In particular, partial or complete damage to 100,000 housing units amounts to $3.2 billion in damages and losses, while the destruction of crops, livestock and the displacement of farmers has driven agricultural losses and damages to about US$1.2 billion. Disruptions to commerce, driven in part by the displacement of employees and business owners amount to close to US$2 billion. The World Bank estimates that final damage and losses due to the conflict will be significantly higher as the conflict continues.