Lebanon: Flash Update #8 - Escalation of hostilities in Lebanon, 12-13 March 2026

HIGHLIGHTS

• UN Secretary-General António Guterres visited Lebanon in a solidarity mission, highlighting the severity of the crisis and calling for protection of civilians and increased international support. Together with the Government of Lebanon, he launched 2026 Flash Appeal.
• MoPH reports 139 people killed and 347 injured during 12-13 March, bringing the cumulative toll to 773 fatalities and 1,933 injuries.
• Attacks against health workers, facilities and transport continue as MoPH reports 18 healthcare workers were killed and 48 injured in 26 attacks on healthcare.
• Air strikes reportedly destroyed a bridge in Tarfylsay and damaged roads in Khardali and Dibbin, raising concerns over civilian mobility and potential humanitarian access.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

On 13 March, the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres arrived to Lebanon in solidarity visit brining attention to the gravity of the humanitarian situation and urgent need for international attention and support. During his visit, the Secretary-General met with senior Lebanese officials, UN Country Team, and affected communities to discuss the rapidly deteriorating conditions across the country, including rising civilian casualties, large-scale displacement, and increasing humanitarian needs. He reiterated the United Nations’ deep concern over the impact of hostilities on civilians and emphasized the importance of protecting civilian populations and civilian infrastructure, and the need to respect the international humanitarian law. The Secretary-General highlighted the critical role of humanitarian organizations operating in Lebanon and called for safe and sustained humanitarian access, as well as increased international support to enable humanitarian partners to respond to the growing needs of affected communities. His visit serves as a strong signal of continued UN engagement and advocacy to address the humanitarian consequences of the ongoing escalation.

On 13 March, three explosions were reported within a UNIFIL position near Meiss el Jebel, resulting in one structure catching fire, with no peacekeeper casualties. Several rounds of fire were also reported near another UNIFIL position near Chebaa, while an airstrike struck near the UNIFIL Headquarters in Naqoura.

At the same time, airstrikes and bombardment across southern Lebanon, Beirut’s southern suburbs, and parts of the Bekaa continued, driving additional waves of internal displacement and contributing to a rising death toll. Targeted strikes on apartments and vehicles are reported almost daily, often occurring in residential areas and causing damage to civilians while heightening fear and psychosocial distress among affected communities.

According to the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), 139 people were killed and 347 injured during 12-13 March, bringing the cumulative toll since the escalation began to 773 fatalities and 1,933 injuries. Attacks against health workers, facilities and transport continue as MoPH reports 18 healthcare workers were killed and 48 injured in 26 attacks on healthcare.

In continued attached on civilian infrastructure, a bridge in Tarfylsay village in Tyre district was destroyed roads in Khardali and Dibbin villages were damaged severing roads connection between some areas north and south of the Litani River, and within the latter. These incidents mark the first reported strike on major transport infrastructure since the escalation earlier this month, raising concerns about potential disruptions to civilian movement, access to essential services, and the delivery of humanitarian assistance in affected areas.

The rapid pace of displacement continues to outstrip available shelter capacity. Many displaced families remain without adequate accommodation, spending nights in streets, vehicles, and public spaces due to the shortage of collective shelters. While the Government is working to open and prepare additional shelter facilities, site rehabilitation and service installation require time and resources before these locations can safely host displaced populations. The total number of self-registered displaces people reached 830,000 individuals, out of whom 130,000 are currently accommodated in over 600 collective shelters across the country.

For those staying with host communities, overcrowding is becoming increasingly common, with multiple displaced families often sharing single apartments in order to reduce financial pressures and mitigate tensions with host communities amid rising living costs and limited housing availability. These conditions are placing additional strain on already vulnerable households and host communities alike, further increasing humanitarian needs.

The humanitarian community remains deeply concerned about the toll of the escalation in Lebanon, particularly the rising number of civilian casualties, including women and children, and the large-scale displacement of populations. Humanitarian actors continue to call on all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, humanitarian personnel and health workers, and overall respect for international humanitarian law.

World Food Programme (WFP) Deputy Executive Director Carl Skau highlighted the unprecedented scale of displacement resulting from the current escalation. During his visit to Beirut, he described the situation as exceptional in the context of the broader regional crisis, noting that nearly 800,000 people have been displaced within a single week, an extraordinarily rapid movement of population. Speaking from Beirut, which he described as the epicenter of the humanitarian consequences of the regional escalation, Skau pointed to the sharp deterioration of the situation following a heavy intensification of hostilities overnight, accompanied by widespread displacement and rapidly increasing humanitarian needs across the country.

Repeated use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas continues to expose civilians to the risk of death or injury. humanitarian organizations are able to operate safely and deliver assistance to those most in need.

At the same time, urgent and flexible funding is required to enable humanitarian partners to respond to rapidly increasing needs. Without timely financial support, the capacity of humanitarian actors to protect vulnerable populations and provide life-saving assistance will remain severely constrained as the crisis continues to deepen.