The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that, despite a reduction in hostilities, the humanitarian situation in Lebanon remains fragile. Ongoing military activity continues to endanger civilians, impede the safe return of displaced people, and prolong humanitarian needs. Israeli military airstrikes, demolitions and localized military operations in the south and Nabatieh governorates are still being reported.
In its latest situation report, OCHA stated that, although the security environment has notably improved since the most recent ceasefire announcement, continued military activity in the south perpetuates protection risks, prolongs displacement for those seeking to return and further fuels humanitarian needs throughout the country.
Daily airstrikes and military operations are also highlighting the potential for renewed escalation, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, more than 4,300 people have been killed and more than 12,000 injured in Israeli attacks since 2 March. Among the casualties are at least 253 children killed and more than 1,000 injured.
Israeli attacks have also targeted healthcare facilities, killing and injuring aid workers on a horrific scale. At least 135 healthcare workers have been killed on duty and 406 have been reported injured since March 2. Such attacks clearly violate international humanitarian law (IHL) and likely constitute war crimes.
Amidst this precarious situation, almost 500,000 people remain displaced within Lebanon, including 37,000 people living in 430 collective shelters. Many families are unable to return home due to inaccessibility, destruction or ongoing insecurity. Meanwhile, around 650,000 people have returned to their areas of origin.
Despite the increasing number of returns, people are moving cautiously and reversibly as they evaluate the extent of the damage, safety conditions and access to essential services. Continued support for basic services, shelter, clearance of unexploded ordnance (UXO), and early recovery is essential to ensure safe and dignified returns.
At the height of the escalation, over 1.9 million people — more than a third of Lebanon's population — were displaced from their homes. This included over 1.1 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), almost 600,000 Syrian refugees and around 164,000 Lebanese nationals who had crossed into Syria after March 2.
According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), returns to conflict-affected areas are taking place more quickly among Lebanese IDPs than among displaced refugees, who face significant structural and legal obstacles to returning home. Both refugees and IDPs continue to face ongoing insecurity, heavily damaged basic infrastructure, and worsening socio-economic conditions due to the prolonged absence of livelihoods.
On Friday, OCHA warned that women and girls are bearing the brunt of the crisis, facing heightened risks of protection and gender-based violence (GBV), disrupted health services (including maternal health services) and reduced access to safe and dignified support.
According to estimates by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), there are 390,000 women of reproductive age among displaced people and returnees. This includes approximately 16,000 pregnant women, with around 1,800 expected to give birth each month. Many are returning to communities where health infrastructure remains damaged or non-functional.
Since March, UNFPA has provided sexual and reproductive health services, as well as services for victims of gender-based violence, to more than 150,000 displaced and conflict-affected people through health facilities, mobile teams, and safe spaces for women and girls.
However, aid agencies report that health services remain severely strained. Three hospitals and 36 primary healthcare centers are still closed, and at least 17 hospitals have been damaged. Access to maternal and newborn health services is limited in parts of southern Lebanon, particularly in areas affected by conflict.
Humanitarian organizations warn that funding shortfalls and access constraints are limiting the relief response. The revised coordinated appeal launched in June is currently 42 percent funded – close to US$270 million of the required $640 million has been received.
On Friday, the UN reiterated that all returns must be safe, voluntary and dignified, and stressed the importance of protecting civilians, including women and girls. Humanitarian access must also be safe, sustained and unimpeded.
Lebanon is facing a severe humanitarian emergency following the large-scale Israeli airstrikes, shelling and ground operations that began in early March. This crisis was triggered by a broader regional escalation that began when the United States and Israel launched a war on Iran. Hezbollah subsequently launched rockets and drones into Israeli territory.
Despite several ceasefire agreements, Israeli military operations in Lebanon persist, including ongoing airstrikes and large-scale ground incursions. Civilians are bearing the heavy toll of this protracted conflict.
These events have caused a sharp deterioration in Lebanon's food security situation. The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, released in April 2026, estimates that 1.24 million people are expected to experience crisis-level food insecurity (IPC Phase 3) or worse between April and August of this year.
Even before the latest deterioration starting in March 2026, hostilities in Lebanon had already escalated significantly between September and November 2024, with thousands of Israeli airstrikes across Lebanese territory causing substantial civilian casualties and mass displacement.