Lebanon: Flash Update #45 - Escalation of hostilities in Lebanon, as of 18 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 15-18 November 2024.

HIGHLIGHTS

• 3,516 people killed and 14,929 injured since 8 October 2023, including at least 231 children killed (MoPH).
• 886,028 people internally displaced of whom 51% female and 49% male (IOM).
• 137 attacks on healthcare facilities, with 226 health workers killed and 199 injured while on duty since 8 October 2023 (WHO).
• 13% of Lebanon’s hospitals (21 of 178) have ceased operations, reduced services, or sustained damages (WHO).

SITUATION OVERVIEW

A renewed escalation in hostilities has been seen across Lebanon during the reporting period, including in the South, Nabatieh, Bekaa and Baalbek-Hermal governorates, as well as in the capital, Beirut, where airstrikes targeted the southern suburbs daily as well as central Beirut, for the first time in more than a month. According to national authorities, at least 130 people were killed in attacks between 15 and 18 November countrywide, and more than 700 injured.

Airstrikes in Ras El Nabaa and Mar Elias (both in central Beirut) on 17 November, killed 10 people, including two women, and injured at least 45, while an 18 November strike in Zoqaq al-Blat (also central Beirut) killed five people and injured at least 31.

Across the country, the continuing violence has caused destruction and triggered new waves of displacement, forcing people – including those who had sought refuge in targeted areas – to flee, once again. Essential infrastructure, including a water station in Tyre (South Lebanon), was reportedly targeted, further compounding the humanitarian impact of the airstrikes. Citing safety concerns, Lebanon’s Education Minister suspended in-person learning in Beirut, Chouf (coastal cities), Meten (coastal cities), Baabda, and Alay districts on 18 and 19 November.

Continued attacks on Lebanon’s health care system are disrupting health services, with burnout and displacement of health workers limiting people’s access to critical health support. Since October 2023, there have been 137 attacks on health centres across the country, and 226 health workers have been killed while on duty (WHO). As a result of the conflict, 13 per cent of Lebanon’s 178 hospitals have ceased operations, been damaged, or been forced to reduce services, according to WHO. In addition, 133 primary health care centres and dispensaries have been forced to close. This is having devastating impacts on public health, as evidenced by growing rates of acute malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies reported by WHO, with grave consequences for healthy children’s development and future human capital in Lebanon. The WHO Director-General deplored the attack on a Lebanese Civil Defense center in Baalbek District on 14 November, in which at least 12 paramedics were killed.

UNRWA reports that out of 27 UNRWA health centers, only 15 are operational while 12 remain closed due to the security situation. Security and access issues continue to hinder humanitarian operations. On 9 and 11 November, following Israeli Army displacement orders for the Rashidieh Palestinian camp, access constraints made it difficult for UNRWA to assess the full impact of these orders on displaced individuals. In Tyre, most UNRWA services have been suspended due to the deteriorating security situation. El Buss Clinic in Tyre briefly reopened on 8 November to treat 166 patients, but operations were forced to a halt again soon after.

WFP warns that, with rising displacement, disrupted agriculture, and a deepening economic crisis, Lebanon’s food insecurity is set to worsen if hostilities persist. Also during the period, UNIFIL reported that, on 16 November, a patrol was obstructed and later fired upon. Although the vehicles sustained bullet impacts, no injuries were reported. Additionally, on 15 November, a shell struck the UNIFIL West Sector headquarters but did not detonate. Nobody was injured, but some minor damage was reported.