The world is watching as the crisis escalates in Lebanon, where Israeli airstrikes have taken a devastating toll on civilians and communities. Humanitarian agencies are raising urgent alarms, highlighting the dire need for international attention and assistance.
On October 10, 2024, the situation intensified when airstrikes hit central Beirut, particularly areas such as Noueiry and Basta. Tragically, these strikes resulted in the deaths of 22 individuals and left 117 others injured, with wreckage strewn across once-vibrant neighborhoods. For many, this marked another brutal chapter of suffering amid the chaos of conflict.
The Israeli air force has expanded its operations beyond southern Lebanon, targeting regions like Mount Lebanon and even northern Lebanon, which had not previously been as directly impacted by the hostilities. The strikes have not only focused on militant targets but have increasingly targeted civilian infrastructure, including residential buildings. These actions raise significant concerns about compliance with international humanitarian law, as pointed out by representatives from the United Nations.
Jeremy Laurence, spokesman for the UN’s human rights office, expressed alarm at the airstrikes, particularly one on the Christian-majority village of Aitou, which resulted in 23 fatalities, including numerous women and children. He stated, "This bombing raises real concerns with respect to international humanitarian law." Rescue operations continue as workers seek to recover bodies from the rubble.
Alongside the violence, the humanitarian crisis deepens by the day. According to recent estimates, more than 1.2 million people are now displaced due to the conflict. This figure includes over 275,000 individuals who have sought refuge across the border in Syria, fleeing the relentless shelling and airstrikes. Within Lebanon itself, around 660,000 individuals are internally displaced, living under desperate conditions.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has been meeting the urgent needs of these families, carrying out Rapid Needs Assessments to understand the scale of vulnerability. These assessments revealed alarming statistics, including the displacement of many children and elderly individuals. They are also responding by distributing Core Relief Items such as mattresses, blankets, hygiene kits, and meals to those affected by the strikes.
But it’s not just the physical destruction of buildings and infrastructure causing turmoil; the psychological impact on the people of Lebanon is immense. Reports indicate pronounced fear among residents, with many retaining memories of past conflicts, leading to repeated cycles of trauma.
Continuing conflicts between Hezbollah and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have created widespread insecurity. Residents express fear about potential strikes on their homes after Israel has displayed alarming patterns of targeting civilian buildings during previous escalations. Local testimonies reveal anxiety about where the next strike might occur, particularly as Hezbollah's activities become more unpredictable across the country.
Even humanitarian organizations are not spared from the conflict, as two peacekeepers from the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) sustained injuries from gunfire during the clashes. The strikes have compromised UNIFIL’s operational capacity, with damaged vehicles and disrupted communication systems impacting their ability to monitor the situation effectively.
This surging Israeli military action has led to temporary evacuation orders across various parts of Lebanon, particularly compelling residents to leave their homes for transitional shelters. Many families are fleeing with little more than the clothes on their backs, facing dire situations as they confront shortages of food, water, and medical care.
Reports from the United Nations Refugee Agency indicate substantial population movements, as evacuation orders have now spread to cover over 25% of the country. The agency's Middle East director, Rema Jamous Imseis, noted, "People are heeding these calls to evacuate, and they're fleeing with almost nothing,” highlighting the urgency of humanitarian needs.
The conditions faced by many displaced individuals are overwhelming welfare services. Mayor Abdallah Darwich from Beirut underscored how municipal planning for humanitarian needs has fallen short amid the unprecedented scale of this crisis. Many residents are left on the streets, relying on limited support from the community and local services.
Responses from the international community have varied, with the U.S. State Department publicly expressing concerns about the extent of Israel's military activities focused on Beirut. Spokesman Matthew Miller conveyed Washington's commitment to balancing Israel’s right to national defense with humanitarian protections during these intense military operations. He remarked on the “scope and nature” of the recent escalations, pushing for greater caution going forward.
Meanwhile, tensions on the ground continue to escalate as Hezbollah retaliates. A drone attack attributed to the group resulted in casualties among Israeli forces, marking one of the most intense exchanges of violence since the conflict's resurgence. Following these developments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underscored Israel’s intention to persist with its military operations against Hezbollah with “without mercy” rhetoric circulating through the media.
Despite calls for ceasefires from various international actors and grassroots movements, Netanyahu voiced his opposition to any temporary halt to operations, arguing it won't address the underlying threats posed by Hezbollah. Concurrently, senior Hezbollah officials also issued statements indicating their opposition to ceasefires, signaling the complex realities shaping this stagnated conflict.
Compounding these tensions, the human toll has been staggering, with at least 2,309 people killed over the course of the last year due to the fighting as reported by Lebanese authorities. Casualties include not only combatants but also innocent civilians caught amid the violence.
This turmoil has transformed Lebanon from being merely a battleground between opposing military groups to experiencing the harrowing consequences of humanitarian collapse. With each strike and counterstrike, the hopes of civilian populations for stability and peace appear to diminish.
What the future holds for Lebanon remains uncertain as violence continues to escalate and communities desperately seek refuge. Both internal and international calls for peace must be met with decisive action on the ground and support for those affected.
Organizations like the IRC, UNHCR, and local NGOs are working tirelessly to meet urgent humanitarian needs, but the sheer scale of displacement and destruction continues to evade any sense of resolution. The world is urged to pay attention.
