Lebanon is facing the largest escalation of conflict since the 2006 Lebanon War. Between 7 October 2023 and 20 September 2024, over 10,200 attacks were reportedly exchanged between Israel and Hezbollah and other armed groups in Lebanon, resulting in widespread damage and leading to thousands of people being killed and injured. On 19 and 20 September, simultaneous attacks against communications equipment in Lebanon—including pagers and two-way radios—killed 37 people and injured more than 3,000, according to the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) (OCHA 01/10/2024). On September 23 alone, Israel's military stated that 1,600 targets were hit in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley. Lebanon's health ministry said the attacks had resulted in at least 492 people killed, including 35 children, and a further 1,645 wounded (Reuters 24/09/2024). The conflict escalated still further when, on 1 October the Israeli military said it was launching “limited, localized and targeted ground raids” against Hezbollah as its forces entered Lebanon (Independent 03/10/2024).
The ongoing violence and rapidly deteriorating security situation are putting hundreds of thousands of people’s lives at risk on both sides of the Blue Line. Attacks and with-it casualties continue to mount. Overall, between 8 October 2023 and 25 October 2024, there have been a total of 11,765 political violence events reported in Lebanon resulting in 2,593 conflict-related deaths and leaving 12,119 people wounded. Of these 1,642 deaths and 9,356 injuries occurred between 17 September 2024 and 24 October 2024 (MoPH/WHO) (OCHA 24/10/2024, ACLED accessed 03/11/2024).
There has been widespread damage to essential infrastructure and residential buildings. Mass displacement is being driven by the attacks by Israeli forces on populated areas along with evacuation orders. There is a clear pattern of movement from conflict-prone southern and eastern districts along the border toward western coastal areas or central and northern parts of Lebanon (OHCHR 04/10/2024, IOM 24/10/2024). As of 23 October 2024, IOM recorded 833,391 newly displaced persons. This represents an increase of more than 700,000 new IDPs since the escalation of the conflict on 23 September 2024. IOM estimates that 35% of all internally displaced are children meaning that around 292,000 children have been internally displaced by 23 October 2024 (IOM 24/10/2024). According to UNICEF, more than 400,000 children have been displaced from their homes and this figure likely includes those fleeing Lebanon (both refugee and Lebanese children). UNHCR estimates that more than 425,000 individuals (around 70% Syrians and 30% Lebanese) have left Lebanon since 23 September 2024 mainly via land (UNHCR 23/10/2024, UNICEF 04/10/2024).
This report was commissioned by Save the Children International to provide a comprehensive situational analysis of the humanitarian conditions and the impact of the conflict in Lebanon on the civilian population. This includes a detailed analysis of many humanitarian sectors, an examination of the operational environment (humanitarian access, levels of displacement, etc.), and specific analysis of the conflicts' impact on and the needs of children (see the summary of humanitarian conditions for children).
