Following the collapse of the Syrian government on 8 December, the country has experienced a mix of optimism and disorder. It is now grappling with unstable security, an escalating humanitarian crisis, and widespread displacement.
Following more than a year of conflict at least 175,000 people remain displaced across the country, while those who have returned to their areas of origin are confronted with destroyed homes, devastated infrastructure, and disrupted essential services.
Lebanon stands at a crossroads. The cessation of hostilities has allowed nearly 829,000 displaced people to return to their cadasters of origin as of 18 December, but for many, the journey back does not meet the minimum requirements for a secure and sustainable return.
قالت "هيومن رايتس ووتش" في تقرير أصدرته اليوم إن السلطات الإسرائيلية تتعمد حرمان المدنيين الفلسطينيين في غزة من المياه الكافية منذ أكتوبر/تشرين الأول 2023، ما أدى على الأرجح إلى وفاة الآلاف وبالتالي ارتكبت الجريمة ضد الإنسانية المتمثلة في الإبادة، كما ارتكبت أفعال الإبادة الجماعية.
Israeli authorities have intentionally deprived Palestinian civilians in Gaza of adequate access to water since October 2023, most likely resulting in thousands of deaths and thus committing the crime against humanity of extermination and acts of genocide, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.
A new report from MSF highlights how repeated Israeli military attacks on civilians in Gaza, and the systematic denial of humanitarian assistance are destroying the conditions of life.
Some 59 Palestinian-run schools, serving approximately 6,600 students and at least 715 teachers, face partial or full demolition orders or stop-work orders.
At this historic moment of opportunity for Syria, many refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) are considering returning home, and thousands of people are now arriving from neighbouring countries every day – but after almost 14 years of violent crisis many have little or nothing to return to.
The situation remains dire for the 44,000 displaced people staying in 263 emergency collective centers in north-east Syria. The majority of them lack adequate water and sanitation support.
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.
Over the past 14 years, more than 13 million Syrians have been forced to flee their homes, and 90% of people inside Syria require some form of humanitarian assistance. The recent developments across Syria will impact millions of people’s lives both inside the country and within the region.
The situation in the Gaza Strip continues to be dire, with the northern governorate in critical need of essentials like food, water, and medical supplies.
WFP completed its November emergency cash assistance cycle, leveraging existing safety nets to support an additional 36,000 Lebanese people affected by the conflict. In total, WFP provided emergency cash assistance to 247,000 affected Lebanese people during the November cycle.
Hostilities continue to be reported in parts of Syria, while civil departments and public service institutions have resumed operations in most governorates.
This report is produced by OCHA Lebanon in collaboration with humanitarian partners and the Inter Sector Coordination Group. It covers the period from 6 – 12 December 2024.
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.
Insecurity Insight identified 305 incidents of violence against or obstruction of health care in Lebanon between 08 October 2023 and 18 November 2024. In these incidents, at least 241 health workers were killed, 200 injured and health facilities damaged 158 times. All of these reported 305 incidents were attributed to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
