Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon between October 2023 and December 2024 destroyed vast swathes of critical civilian infrastructure and public services, preventing tens of thousands of Lebanese from returning to their homes, Human Rights Watch said today.
Since the announcement of a cessation of hostilities on 27 November 2024, more than 868,947 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have begun returning to their communities as of 8 January.
This year represents an extremely precarious moment in Lebanon’s history, with crisis upon crisis affecting the country’s social, economic, and environmental stability.
The ceasefire on 27 November has prompted 860,740 internally displaced persons (IDPs) to start returning to their communities as of 31 December, resulting in 123,774 IDPs compared to the nearly 900,000 recorded between September and November 2024.
مع عودة السكان النازحين تدريجياً إلى منازلهم في جنوب لبنان، قدّم جنود حفظ السلام التابعون لليونيفيل من جمهورية كوريا عدداً من المواد الأساسية للسكان في بلدة العباسية، قضاء صور، الأسبوع الماضي.
With displaced residents gradually returning to their homes in south Lebanon, UNIFIL peacekeepers from the Republic of Korea gave out a number of essential items to them in the town of Abbasiyeh, north of Tyre in south Lebanon, last week.
Following the ceasefire, the restoration of economic activity, health services, and improved humanitarian access are expected to reduce the demand for food and health support. However, infrastructure rehabilitation and winter heating are expected to remain priority needs in areas affected by damage.
The Household-Level Rapid Vulnerability and Needs Assessment (RNA) was conducted to identify the most urgent needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) across Lebanon, focusing on food security, shelter, healthcare, water, and protection, to inform targeted humanitarian interventions.
In light of the evolving regional context, IOM is closely monitoring internal and cross-border movement dynamics, assessing changing needs, and continues to address the immediate humanitarian needs of those affected by the conflict.
Since the onset of cross-border attacks on October 8, 2023, tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border have significantly intensified with nearly 100,000 internally displaced people in Lebanon because of the conflict.
The Humanitarian Country Team in Lebanon, led by the Humanitarian Coordinator and supplementing national efforts, continues to respond to the humanitarian needs of the people affected by the increase in hostilities in Lebanon.
On 26 November, another UNFPA-supported safe space was destroyed in Sour, South Lebanon. The facility provided services to hundreds of women and girls, including survivors of GBV. Two UNFPA-supported primary health care centres (PHCCs) and ve WGSSs are no longer operational across the country.
The Humanitarian Country Team in Lebanon, led by the Humanitarian Coordinator and supplementing national efforts, continues to respond to the humanitarian needs of the people affected by the increase in hostilities in Lebanon.
As winter looms in Lebanon, UNIFIL’s Italian peacekeepers have donated a number of items including blankets, food, medicines and hygiene kits to hospitals and authorities in south Lebanon for the benefit of those affected by the recent violence across the Blue Line.
