Despite the ceasefire announced on 17 April, the humanitarian situation in Lebanon remained highly unstable during the reporting period. Hostilities continued across southern Lebanon, accompanied by renewed displacement orders affecting multiple localities, further undermining civilian protection and prospects for safe returns.
The humanitarian situation in Lebanon remains precarious despite the announcement of the ceasefire on 17 April 2026, with ongoing hostilities driving displacement and casualties, particularly in the South.
Despite the announcement of the ceasefire as of 17 April, the humanitarian situation in Lebanon remained highly unstable during the reporting period, with continued insecurity forcing further population displacements, humanitarian access challenges, and undermining prospects for safe returns.
Nearly 600 people have been killed in Lebanon in four weeks of fragile ceasefire, while more than one million people remain displaced the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has said.
More than 4,500 emergency shelter and household items were airlifted from Maastricht to Beirut today through an EU Humanitarian Air Bridge, as humanitarian needs continue to surge across Lebanon.
The humanitarian situation in Lebanon remained fragile and volatile, with developments during the reporting period further undermining prospects for civilian protection, safe and sustained returns, and unimpeded humanitarian access.
After 45 days of hostilities, a ceasefire announced on 16 April – which was extended for an additional 3 weeks - offered brief hope for displaced families in Lebanon. Some returned, only to find destruction, lack of services, and ongoing insecurity.
In 2025, the MENA region faced overlapping crises including conflict, displacement, economic collapse, disease outbreaks, and climate shocks, placing children at risk and disrupting access to services.
Ceasefire extended amid continued violations on the ground: Following U.S.‑facilitated talks in Washington, Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend the ceasefire for a further three weeks, with the stated aim of preventing escalation and creating space for continued diplomatic engagement.
Lebanon continues to confront a massive humanitarian crisis, despite the entry into effect of a 10-day ceasefire on 17 April, with hundreds of thousands of people remaining internally displaced and in urgent need of assistance.
A 10‑day ceasefire brokered by the United States between Lebanon and Israel came into effect at midnight on Thursday 16 April, aimed at halting hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah and paving the way for a lasting peace agreement.
As of the eve of the ten-day ceasefire announcement, the humanitarian situation in Lebanon continued to deteriorate, with prolonged displacement of people who have fled, leaving everything they own and jobs behind**, and are facing difficulties accessing safe and dignified shelter, and basic services**.
Across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, people continue to be exposed to high levels of violence and restrictive policies, resulting in casualties and property damage, prolonging existing displacement, triggering new displacement and deepening humanitarian needs.
Continued escalation and geographic spread of hostilities Conflict continues to intensify across Lebanon, with airstrikes, artillery fire, and ground operations reported in the South, Nabatiyeh, Tyre District, and Beirut’s southern suburbs, while evacuation warnings and strikes have expanded to new areas, including in West Bekaa.
As of early 2026, 16.5 million require assistance, while over 1.4 million refugees and 1.7 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) have returned since December 2024.
During his recent visit to Lebanon on 31 March, the Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, engaged Government officials, first responders and affected families impacted by the escalation.
