Displaced Lebanese shelter in schools, stadiums amid Israeli attacks

The UN humanitarian chief warned the Security Council on Wednesday that Lebanon faces a "moment of grave peril" due to intensified Israeli attacks. These attacks have forcibly displaced over 750,000 people, leading to overcrowded and under-resourced shelters, particularly in urban areas. The mass displacement is accelerating, with over 120,000 people, including children, now in 580 collective centers lacking adequate sanitation and supplies. These conditions heighten the risk of exploitation and violence, especially for women and girls. The Israeli attacks began last week following Hezbollah rockets launched after the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, with Israel issuing forced displacement orders for southern Lebanon and parts of Beirut.

Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has intensified, drawing Lebanon further into the Middle East conflict. Over the past week, nearly 700,000 people in Lebanon have been displaced due to escalating hostilities. As of Monday, Lebanese authorities report nearly 500 deaths in Lebanon from the Israeli offensive, with the death toll rising daily. Israel has targeted Hezbollah-controlled areas, including Beirut's southern suburbs and financial institutions allegedly run by the group. In response, Hezbollah has fired missiles into Israel, reaching as far as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, triggering air raid sirens and interception blasts. The conflict was ignited after Hezbollah opened fire to avenge the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, prompting the Israeli offensive.

In March 2026, renewed conflict in Lebanon has triggered rare public backlash against Hezbollah. Israeli airstrikes in areas like Dahiyeh, a suburb of Beirut, have displaced numerous people. Displaced individuals and families are fleeing the affected areas, seeking refuge in Beirut, including Martyrs’ Square and schools converted into shelters. The conflict and resulting displacement are causing hardship, leading to increased public criticism of Hezbollah. The exact reasons for the conflict's resurgence are not detailed, but the consequences include significant internal displacement and a shift in public sentiment towards Hezbollah.

As of March 11, 2026, war has displaced over 800,000 people in Lebanon in just ten days, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council. This figure represents approximately one in seven residents of the country. The displaced are fleeing Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut. Many are seeking refuge in temporary shelters such as technical institutes, sports stadiums, and churches in Beirut. Aid groups are warning of a potential humanitarian crisis due to the scale of displacement, which follows another conflict that displaced over a million people just a year prior.

Aid groups are warning of a humanitarian crisis in Lebanon as war has displaced over 800,000 people in just 10 days, approximately one in seven Lebanese citizens. This displacement follows a recent escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, with Israeli strikes becoming more intense and unpredictable. Many of the displaced are without shelter, as government-run shelters are overwhelmed, and the government struggles to provide adequate assistance to the affected population. The strikes, targeting areas beyond specific locations, have resulted in over 700 deaths, including 103 children, according to Lebanon's health ministry. The current situation is reportedly more difficult than the previous conflict, leaving many like Fatima Nazha struggling to find adequate shelter and basic necessities.

On March 12, 2026, an Israeli strike on Beirut's beachfront resulted in at least eight deaths and dozens of injuries, according to the Lebanese health ministry. The attack targeted an area where displaced families were sheltering in cars and tents. The location was being used as temporary housing due to ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The incident occurred amidst escalating tensions between the two groups. The reason for the specific targeting of the beachfront area remains unclear.

Lebanon's President Aoun has proposed direct negotiations with Israel to end the escalating conflict with Hezbollah. The proposal, presented during a virtual meeting with EU officials, includes a truce, Hezbollah's disarmament, and international support for the Lebanese Armed Forces to regain control of tense areas. Aoun criticized Hezbollah for acting against Lebanon's interests and dragging the country into a wider regional war, accusing the group of prioritizing its own agenda over the well-being of the Lebanese people. He highlighted the devastating impact of the conflict, with hundreds killed and over 700,000 displaced. While Lebanon is ready to negotiate, it insists on a cessation of Israeli fire. Israeli officials have not yet commented on the proposal.

Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) has accused Israel of extending its "Gaza playbook" to Lebanon, following intensified Israeli military actions in the country in March 2026. The charity alleges that Israel is employing tactics of collective punishment, forced displacement, and the deliberate terrorizing of civilian populations. These accusations come after Israel issued forced displacement orders for southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut, prompting tens of thousands to flee. The increased fighting between Israel and Hezbollah began after the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader, leading to rocket launches from Lebanon towards Israel. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, at least 217 people have been killed and 798 wounded in Israeli attacks across Lebanon since the renewed conflict began.

The Israeli military ordered the evacuation of over 500,000 residents from Beirut's southern suburbs. This order was issued as Israel continued bombing Lebanon and Iran, while Tehran launched retaliatory strikes against Israel and US bases in the region. The IDF spokesperson cited imminent airstrikes targeting Hezbollah, as the reason for the evacuation. The evacuation order encompasses a large area, including hospitals and government ministries within Beirut's southern suburbs. The directive urged residents to evacuate immediately to save their lives. These actions are part of the escalating Middle East crisis.

Israeli troops are pushing further into Lebanon near the northern border, engaging in machine-gun fire and airstrikes against Hezbollah. This follows a military build-up that includes tanks and armored bulldozers, raising speculation of a full-scale ground invasion. Israel has issued a large evacuation order for southern Lebanon, aiming to disarm Hezbollah, who joined the war alongside Iran and have been launching rockets and drones at northern Israel. The IDF Chief of Staff has stated the objective is disarming Hezbollah, and they are prepared to move as deep as needed, potentially reaching the Litani River. Israel's opposition leader has suggested creating a "sterile zone" in southern Lebanon.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced they dismantled an underground military bunker in Tehran, built by former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to the IDF, the compound served as a base for advancing military activities against Israel and the West. The bunker, located beneath Tehran, contained multiple entrances and meeting rooms. Khamenei and other regime leaders were situated directly above the fortified compound when almost 50 of them were killed during Operation Epic Fury. Khamenei, who had ruled Iran for over 30 years, was killed on the first day of the operation. The strike followed an Israeli-American deception plan, which included misleading messaging to suggest no immediate action was planned.

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.

In March 2026, the Lebanese government, led by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, announced a ban on Hezbollah's military and security activities. This decision followed Hezbollah's attack on Israel's Ramat Airbase and military facilities in the Golan Heights, which the group claimed was retaliation for the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader and Israeli attacks on Lebanon. Analysts suggest the ban, while difficult to enforce, could significantly impact Lebanon's future, potentially consolidating security under government control. While some Shia groups support the decision as a means of stabilizing the state, experts express concern about the army's reluctance to confront Hezbollah and the potential for internal conflict. The ban occurs against the backdrop of escalating regional tensions, including a US and Israeli offensive against Iran.

Following Israeli strikes in Lebanon, thousands of Syrian refugees are attempting to return to Syria. The exodus is occurring as reported by Al Jazeera on March 6, 2026. The refugees are fleeing Lebanon due to the recent strikes. The situation is unfolding at the border between Lebanon and Syria. There are growing concerns about a potential humanitarian crisis as a result of the mass movement of people. Al Jazeera's Obaida Hitto is reporting from the border, providing updates on the developing situation.

The United Nations called for urgent legal investigations into Israeli strikes in Lebanon on Friday, March 6, 2026, amid mass displacement of civilians. A UN rights office spokeswoman cited the "devastating impact" on civilians and urged de-escalation. Israeli strikes and ground incursions, along with displacement orders, are causing increased suffering. Lebanon's Prime Minister warned of a looming humanitarian disaster due to the large number of people fleeing their homes. The UN is seeking to determine if the strikes adhere to international law, as the conflict threatens to escalate further.