Displaced Lebanese shelter in schools, stadiums amid Israeli attacks

On March 8, 2026, an Israeli attack on a hotel in Beirut, Lebanon killed at least four people and wounded ten. Israel stated the strike targeted key commanders of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, claiming they were planning attacks against Israel. The targeted hotel, located in Raouche, was also housing displaced people fleeing the ongoing conflict in southern Lebanon. Lebanon was drawn into the regional war on March 2nd after Hezbollah attacked Israel in response to earlier US-Israeli strikes that killed the Iranian Supreme Leader. This attack marks an escalation of Israeli actions in Lebanon, which began after the collapse of a ceasefire in November 2024.

An Israeli strike on a Beirut hotel killed at least four people and wounded ten others on Sunday, according to Lebanon's health ministry. Israel stated the strike targeted commanders from Iran's Revolutionary Guards. The strike occurred in central Beirut, hitting a hotel room. This incident follows increased Israeli strikes across Lebanon and ground troop movements into border areas this week. Lebanon was drawn into the conflict after Hezbollah attacked Israel in response to the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Israeli military announced additional strikes targeting Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut's southern suburbs.

U.S. and Israeli airstrikes in Iran have reportedly damaged several historical and cultural sites, including the UNESCO World Heritage site, Golestan Palace, in Tehran. The UN agency reported that a strike on Monday hit Arag Square, within the palace's buffer zone, causing damage from debris and shock waves. Other sites, including palaces and an ancient mosque, have also sustained damage. The extent and speed of the damage have prompted Iran and Lebanon to request intervention from UNESCO. The damage raises concerns about the impact of the escalating conflict on protected landmarks of Iranian and global historical significance.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated in Beirut on Saturday that diplomatic solutions are still possible to end the war between Israel and Hezbollah. He urged the international community to support Lebanon and emphasized that there is no military solution. Guterres highlighted the availability of diplomatic channels, including his special coordinator for Lebanon and key member states, to bring parties to the table. The conflict escalated after Hezbollah attacked Israel following the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Guterres condemned attacks against UNIFIL peacekeepers, stating they are unacceptable and may constitute war crimes, referencing the recent wounding of three peacekeepers. He affirmed efforts to de-escalate the situation and cease hostilities.

As of March 3, 2026, Israeli attacks in Lebanon have caused a significant displacement of people, with tens of thousands fleeing to Syria. At least 11,000 Lebanese individuals have crossed the border into Syria seeking refuge from the ongoing bombardment. The displacement is a direct result of the escalating regional tensions and the intensification of Israeli military actions within Lebanon. These attacks are cited as the primary reason for the mass exodus of civilians seeking safety across the border. The situation highlights the humanitarian consequences of the conflict.

The Israeli military has ordered civilians in a large area of southern Lebanon to evacuate north of the Litani River due to planned military action against Hezbollah. This order comes amidst escalating hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed group, with Israel initiating a wave of strikes in the south. Tens of thousands of Lebanese civilians have already been displaced since the recent surge in fighting. Displaced individuals are fleeing from southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Beirut, seeking refuge in shelters, roadsides, and parks, with concerns rising about the capacity to meet the growing demand for aid. The escalation follows Hezbollah's rocket and drone attacks on Israel, which were a response to US and Israeli strikes.

Following missile and drone launches by Hezbollah targeting northern Israel, Israel conducted heavy airstrikes on Hezbollah-controlled areas in Lebanon early Monday. The strikes, which targeted southern Beirut and southern Lebanon, were in response to Hezbollah's attacks, which the group claimed were retaliation for the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader and in defense of Lebanon. Israel stated the strikes on Dahieh killed senior Hezbollah officers. The Israeli military issued evacuation orders for 55 villages and towns in Lebanon and deployed 100,000 reservists to the border. Residents of southern Beirut and southern Lebanon fled northwards following the Israeli strikes, causing gridlock on highways.

A leaked US embassy cable reveals that Israel expressed concerns about Hezbollah's growing military capabilities and the Lebanese state's inability to disarm the group before launching airstrikes in Lebanon. The cable, sent to Washington a day before joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran, indicated Israel's distrust of both Beirut and Damascus in containing the threat on its northern border. It also highlighted Israeli concerns about Turkish military presence in Syria and alleged anti-Israel incitement by Turkish officials. The cable served as a briefing for the US Secretary of State before a cancelled trip to Israel and was written under the direction of the US ambassador, Mike Huckabee, whose controversial remarks about Israel seizing territory had sparked diplomatic backlash. The airstrikes against Hezbollah-dominated areas in southern Beirut began three days after the cable was sent.

Israeli Minister Amichai Chikli outlined a U.S.-Israeli mission in Iran with two main goals: removing existential threats and creating conditions for regime change. The immediate threat includes destroying Iranian ballistic missiles capable of reaching Israeli cities. While the IDF and U.S. Army won't replace the regime, the mission aims to empower the Iranian people to "regain their freedom." Former President Trump encouraged Iranians to take over their government after U.S. and Israeli military operations conclude. A U.S. official confirmed that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in an Israeli strike in Tehran as part of "Operation Epic Fury." Chikli envisions an Iran aligned with the West, potentially becoming an ally to Israel, the U.S., and other nations in the region.

Following the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, US officials are reportedly skeptical that a regime change in Iran is likely in the near future. Despite President Trump's call for Iranian patriots to "take back" their country, three US officials familiar with intelligence suggest that Iran's opposition is unlikely to topple the current theocratic government. While not completely ruling out the possibility due to ongoing US and Israeli air strikes and internal unrest, officials consider a near-term regime change improbable. The Iranian President, along with other officials, have temporarily assumed the duties of the supreme leader. The US and Israeli operation aimed to cripple Iran's ballistic missile and nuclear programs, with some US officials suggesting toppling the government as a goal.

Following US-Israeli air strikes on Iran, including the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and subsequent retaliatory attacks, China is expected to adjust its relationship with Israel. China condemned the initial strikes as a violation of Iran's sovereignty and warned of regional destabilization. Analysts believe China will likely maintain its "balanced diplomacy" in the Middle East but pursue a "strategic rebalancing" to adapt to the altered security landscape. The situation presents diplomatic risks for China, requiring careful strategic calculation as it navigates the escalating tensions between Iran, Israel, and the US in the region.

Israel's military operation against Iran is aimed at regime change, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called on Iranians to overthrow their government after the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The US-Israel joint attack has already killed over 555 people in Iran, including 180 at a girls' school. Netanyahu's comments suggest that Israel seeks regime change from within, but it is unclear how invested Israeli officials are in ensuring a smooth transition. Many Iranians have taken to the streets in protests, united by their opposition to the government. The operation has sparked widespread violence and unrest in Iran. The Israeli government's policy on regime change in Iran appears to be a longstanding goal.

Following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran faces a precarious situation with internal divisions and mounting external pressures. While some celebrated, hoping for an end to clerical rule, others mourned and demanded retribution. Despite maintaining military power, the regime faces a growing list of dead leaders, including high-ranking military officials, straining its leadership and resources. Simultaneously, Iran's regional relationships are deteriorating, with its Gulf partners criticizing its actions and accusing it of playing into the hands of the US. The Strategic Council on Foreign Relations pleaded with Gulf states to unite against the US, but the UAE countered that Iran's aggression is self-isolating. The article suggests that without a change in direction, the Iranian regime risks a breakdown in civil order.