HIGHLIGHTS
- Cessation of hostilities period extended until 18 February.
- 26 people killed and more than 200 injured as communities attempt return to villages in South (MoPH).
- 883,203 people displaced within Lebanon reported back in their cadaster of origin while 103,346 people remain displaced outside their cadaster of origin as of 29 January (IOM).
SITUATION OVERVIEW
The situation in South Lebanon remains volatile, marked during the reporting period by the attempts of thousands of residents to return to villages in areas along the Blue Line where the Israeli Army maintained its presence. Between 26 and 30 January, at least 26 people were killed and more than 200 injured in confrontations with the Israeli Army – 24 deaths on 26 January alone, according to the Ministry of Public Health. Israeli airstrikes, gunfire, and demolitions of houses and infrastructure in border areas continued. Lebanese prevented from reaching Kfar Kila (Marjaayoun district, Nabatieh Governorate) began a sit-in to demand the end of Israel’s presence. Israeli airstrikes on locations north of the Litani River occurred on 28 and 29 January in Nabatieh and on 31 January in Bekaa Governorate. On 26 January, the United States and Israel jointly announced that the 60-day cessation of hostilities agreement was extended until 18 February 2025, which was confirmed by Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati the following day. Humanitarian workers were also impacted, with a civil defense rescue team reportedly targeted by an Israeli drone strike in Taybeh, Nabatieh Governorate, on 29 January. Since 26 January, a total of 26 people has been killed and more than 200 injured according to MoPH.
OHCHR reported that, between 22 and 29 January, at least 21 civilians were killed, bringing the conflicted-related death toll to 51 civilians since the cessation of hostilities took effect on 27 November 2024, including 9 women and 5 children. OHCHR reiterated that the use of lethal force against civilians returning to their homes constitutes a breach of international law and emphasized that civilians must be allowed to return to their villages in voluntary, dignified, and safe conditions.
As of 29 January 2025, 103,346 people within Lebanon remained displaced outside their cadasters of origin according to IOM’s Mobility Snapshot (Round 74), an 8 per cent decrease from 22 January. Some 90 per cent of the remaining displaced come from just five districts, with 40 per cent displaced from Bint Jbeil district, 21 per cent from Tyre, 13 per cent from Nabatieh, 10 per cent from Marjaayoun and 6 per cent from Baabda (primarily Beirut’s southern suburbs). Of those remaining displaced, 3,055 are residing in 38 collective sites, a reduction of 614 people from the last report. One site had closed since 22 January.
Meanwhile, 883,203 displaced people had begun were reported to be back in their cadasters of origin, approximately 98 per cent of the total displaced since 8 October 2023 according to IOM. Due to the dynamic and ever-changing nature of population movements in the country, these observed returns should be viewed as a temporary snapshot rather than a permanent trend, as many individuals continue to be on the move.
The Bekaa Governorate continued to host seven collective sites for displaced people, currently accommodating 48 households (234 people) according to DRM estimates. A recent return intentions survey by UNHCR and partners indicated that the majority of these individuals originate from villages in the southern border areas, where return is either restricted or deemed unsafe. Meanwhile, Beirut still had nine collective sites open, with eight still open in Nabatieh and six in the South. In North Lebanon, all but one collective shelter operating between September and November 2024 have been vacated – the only collective shelter remaining in the governorate in Tripoli housing 10 displaced families, according to Lebanon’s Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Unit.
Despite efforts to resume learning activities after the disruptions due to the hostilities, Lebanon still faces a severe education crisis. On the International Day of Education, UNICEF noted that 1 in 3 school-aged children is out of school, calling for equitable public financing and policy decisions that guarantee access for all children, particularly the most marginalized. Though progress has been made, with support from programmes such as the Transition and Resilience Education Fund (TREF), barriers persist, jeopardizing investments in the public school system. UNICEF committed to continue supporting the Government of Lebanon in providing access to quality and inclusive education for all children.
On 28 January, the Lebanon Protection Working Group released its Protection Monitoring Update for December 2024, highlighting key challenges for internally displaced Lebanese and secondarily displaced Syrian refugees residing outside collective shelters in the Bekaa, Beirut/Mount Lebanon and South governorates. Of those interviewed, 21 per cent of Lebanese IDPs and 35 per cent of Syrians remained displaced due to barriers to safe return to areas of origin, including damaged and destroyed homes, unfinished apartments or tents, or restrictions to return to some 27 municipalities or other limitations on the freedom of movement of Syrian refugees. Many displaced faced legal documentation issues and limited access to healthcare and education. The report also noted increased risks of gender-based violence (GBV), child labour, family separation, and mental health struggles, particularly among children. Urgent recommendations include provision of legal aid, housing support, psychosocial assistance, protection for children and GBV survivors, improved healthcare access, implementation of peaceful co-existence programmes, and advocacy for Syrian refugees' rights.
Daily crossings at official border points with Syria continued at a relatively low and stable rate, with an average of 1,000 entries and exits per day. An estimated 87,000 Lebanese and refugees who fled to Syria due to the hostilities have been reported returning as of 27 January 2025, with 35,000 – mostly Syrians – residing in 224 shelters in Bekaa (UNHCR). Some collective shelters, primarily religious sites, are reportedly overcrowded due to insufficient infrastructure.
Disclaimer
- UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
- To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.