For the past 10 days Israel has blocked all entry of food, fuel, medicine and other vital supplies for civilians, and is now shutting off electricity – yet another cruel act of collective punishment and a flagrant violation of international law.
Ongoing military activities and the widespread destruction of homes, infrastructure, and essential services—both during the conflict and after the cessation of hostilities—continue to hinder the safe return of displaced individuals.
Following the second deadline for the cessation of hostilities on 18 February 2025, the country to the south of Lebanon withdrew from population centres in southern Lebanon while maintaining a military presence in five strategic locations along the Blue Line.
This Area-Based Assessment (ABA) was conducted to identify the critical needs and priorities1 of affected populations through a combination of household (HH) surveys, key informant (KI) interviews, and focus group discussions (FGDs).
Since October 2023, IFRC has been supporting LRC’s efforts to prepare for and respond to the spill-over effects of the escalation of hostilities in Gaza through its multi-country Emergency Appeal for the Middle East Complex Emergency, which addresses the regional implications of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
On 2 March, Israeli authorities announced a halt to humanitarian aid entering Gaza, jeopardizing progress made in delivering vital, lifesaving assistance since the ceasefire took effect on 19 January.
Among key priorities for the Government identified by the Prime Minister in his statement upon the occasion were implementation of Resolution 1701, ensuring a complete Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, asserting the state’s sovereignty over all its territories exclusively through its forces and securing post-conflict reconstruction.
In 2024, Syrian children continued to endure the effects of the ongoing conflict, economic collapse, and displacement, culminating in the fall of the government on 8 December. The humanitarian situation remains fluid and unpredictable.
The security situation in Syria remained volatile with sporadic security escalations. Hostilities continues to impact Northeast Syria (NES), particularly in eastern Aleppo and around the Tishreen Dam, as well as in Al-Hasakeh and ArRaqqa governorates.
Over 586,000 children under the age of 10 have been vaccinated for poliovirus across Gaza, reaching 99 per cent of the target population since the campaign began on 22 February.
On 18 February, the Israel Army withdrew from remaining population centres in southern Lebanon, while maintaining presence in five strategic positions along the Blue Line. The Lebanese Armed Forces deployed into vacated areas, supporting population returns.
The recent shift of power in Syria on 8 December 2024 has reshaped the humanitarian landscape, bringing both new challenges and opportunities for recovery across the country.
The LRP targets 1.5 million vulnerable Lebanese, 1.3 million displaced Syrians, 145,000 Palestine Refugees in Lebanon and 23,026 Palestinian Refugees from Syria.
Since the ceasefire, food security partners have brought over 57,000 metric tons of food into Gaza, more than double the amount in the month prior to the ceasefire; distribution of that assistance is ongoing.
Since October 2023, the conflict in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) has caused widespread devastation, severely impacting the health and well-being of millions.
Up to 50 NWS based health cluster partners have been engaging in continuous coordination and dialogue with Damascus and other sub-national health sector coordination groups.
The situation in South Lebanon remains volatile, marked during the reporting period by the attempts of thousands of residents to return to villages in areas along the Blue Line where the Israeli Army maintained its presence.
After a 15-months devastating war, the humanitarian situation remains catastrophic in the Gaza Strip. Most children have lost access to quality healthcare, education, water and other vital services.
