Israel’s unending attacks in Lebanon push country’s population to the brink

In March 2026, Lebanon is experiencing a second large-scale Israeli attack within two years, exacerbating the suffering of its population amidst a US-Israeli war on Iran. Approximately a quarter of Lebanon's population has been displaced due to Israeli evacuation orders in the south and Beirut's southern suburbs. The renewed conflict began after Hezbollah retaliated for the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader, ending a fragile ceasefire that had been in place since November 2024. Israel has intensified attacks on southern Lebanon and declared its intention to occupy the region, leading to increased frustration and fatigue among Lebanese civilians due to ongoing violence, economic strain, and uncertainty about the conflict's duration. Foreigners are said to be the most vulnerable.

Israeli forces struck Beirut's southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, on Monday, marking the first attack in days and claiming the capture of two Hezbollah members in southern Lebanon. Earlier, a strike hit Hazmieh, a Christian area near Beirut, targeting an alleged Iranian Revolutionary Guard member. The Israeli military stated it was targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut after urging residents to evacuate. These actions follow Hezbollah's rocket attacks on Israel, initiated on March 2, purportedly in response to the killing of Iran's supreme leader. Since then, Israel has launched strikes across Lebanon, resulting in at least 1,039 deaths and deploying ground troops into southern Lebanon.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for Israel to annex southern Lebanon up to the Litani River, as Israeli attacks on Lebanon intensify in March 2026. Smotrich's statement follows increased Israeli military actions, including air strikes and ground incursions, aimed at rooting out Hezbollah fighters after rockets were launched towards Israel following the start of the US and Israel’s war on Iran in late February. These attacks have targeted residential buildings and infrastructure, displacing over 1.2 million Lebanese civilians. The UN and humanitarian groups report dire consequences for Lebanese civilians, with over 1,000 deaths and thousands wounded since early March. Concerns are rising about a potential intensified ground invasion after attacks on bridges connecting southern Lebanon to Beirut.

Lebanon has declared the Iranian ambassador persona non grata and demanded his departure by Sunday, while also recalling its ambassador from Tehran for consultations. The Lebanese Foreign Ministry cited Iran's violation of diplomatic norms as the reason for the action. This decision occurs amidst ongoing Israeli attacks on Lebanon, including air strikes and a ground offensive in southern Lebanon following a Hezbollah attack on March 2. The conflict, triggered by the US-Israel killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, has resulted in over 1,072 deaths, thousands injured, and the displacement of over 1.5 million Lebanese people. Israel claims to be targeting members of Iran's IRGC, while Iran states those killed were civilians.

Israeli air strikes targeted three Beirut neighborhoods and southern Lebanon on Tuesday, as fighting intensifies between Israel and Hezbollah. Lebanese state media reports the attacks hit Kafaat, Haret Hreik, and Doha Aramoun in Beirut, with Israel confirming it targeted Hezbollah. The strikes in Aramoun hit a residential building, reportedly in an attempted targeted assassination. Since the renewed fighting began over two weeks ago, Israeli attacks have killed at least 886 people in Lebanon, including women and children, and wounded 2,141. Lebanon reports that over one million people have been displaced due to the ongoing conflict.

Tensions between Israel and Iran have escalated, marked by increased attacks on both sides. Israel intensified its military actions in Lebanon, conducting deadly strikes in Beirut and other cities targeting Hezbollah militants. This escalation follows the killing of an Iranian leader. In response, Iran launched missile strikes into Israel, near Tel Aviv, resulting in two fatalities. The exchange of attacks highlights a significant increase in direct confrontation between Israel and Iran, raising concerns about regional stability. The attacks occurred recently, with Israel's actions focused on Lebanon and Iran's strikes reaching into Israeli territory.

Israeli airstrikes destroyed two bridges over the Litani River in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, claiming they were used by Hezbollah to transport fighters and weapons. This action follows earlier strikes that damaged the Zrarieh Bridge on Friday. The Israeli military had warned civilians to evacuate the area near the Litani crossings prior to the attacks. These strikes are part of a broader escalation, with Israeli forces also hitting multiple locations in Beirut, resulting in at least 12 deaths and 27 injuries. The Lebanese health ministry reports that nearly 1,000 people have been killed in Lebanon since March 2nd. The destruction of the bridges further exacerbates the displacement crisis, with over a million people already displaced, mainly in southern Lebanon and Beirut.

Since March 2, over 1,000 people in Lebanon, including 40 healthcare workers, have been killed in intensified Israeli attacks, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health. The attacks, which have also wounded over 2,500, followed rocket launches by Hezbollah into northern Israel after the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Israeli bombardment, targeting Hezbollah, has displaced over one million people and included residential buildings and infrastructure. Hezbollah has responded with rocket fire into Israel and ground engagements. The UN human rights chief's office has stated that some Israeli attacks may constitute war crimes, emphasizing the need to distinguish between military and civilian targets.

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.

Tensions escalated between Israel and Hezbollah as Hezbollah launched a barrage of rockets and drones at northern Israel on Wednesday night, injuring two. The attack, coordinated with Iranian missiles, marked the most intense assault by Hezbollah in the recent conflict. Israel responded with heavy bombardments of Beirut's southern suburbs and southern Lebanon, resulting in casualties and significant damage, including a strike in central Beirut that killed at least seven. The coordinated attack by Hezbollah and Iran, targeting over 50 locations in Israel, is a major escalation in the ongoing conflict, making Lebanon the most intense site of fighting in the region. The fighting is part of a larger war in Iran launched by Israel and the US two weeks prior.

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.

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.

On March 3, 2026, Israel launched strikes on Beirut, Lebanon, specifically targeting what it described as a "Hezbollah area" in the city's southern suburbs. According to Al Jazeera's Zeina Khodr, the attacks occurred as Israeli forces advanced further into southern Lebanon. This military action has expanded a de facto buffer zone within Lebanese territory. The Israeli advance has reportedly displaced tens of thousands of people. The reason for the strikes and ground advancement was not explicitly stated in the provided information.

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.

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.

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.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard is a powerful paramilitary force within Iran, established after the 1979 Islamic Revolution to protect the theocracy. It answers only to the Supreme Leader and operates independently of the regular armed forces. The Guard controls Iran's ballistic missile arsenal, conducts foreign operations through its Quds Force, and backs groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis. It also has significant economic power, running construction companies and other businesses. The Guard's Quds Force is accused of training militants and hiring criminals to target Iran's enemies abroad, which Iran denies.

Dubai residents and tourists were shaken when Iranian missiles and drones approached the Gulf states over the weekend, triggering air defenses in the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain. Many initially mistook the interceptors for fireworks, as Dubai attempted to maintain its image of stability amidst regional conflict. While some residents received official alerts, others were caught off guard. Fires and smoke were reported at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports due to drone debris, resulting in one death and several injuries. Smoke was also seen at the Jebel Ali port area in Dubai, one of the busiest ports in the Middle East. The incident challenged Dubai's long-held perception as a safe haven insulated from regional political turmoil.

Residents of Dahieh, a southern Beirut suburb, have left their homes due to evacuation orders and ongoing air strikes by Israel. The area is considered a Hezbollah stronghold. People are sleeping in tents and cars as they await further instructions. The exact timing of the evacuations is not specified. The situation has been ongoing for some time, with residents forced to flee their homes amidst the conflict. The reasons behind the evacuation orders remain unclear, but it is believed to be related to the ongoing air strikes by Israel.

Following a large displacement order from the Israeli army, over 500,000 people fled the southern suburbs of Beirut on Friday due to intensified Israeli bombing. The order, impacting an area the size of lower Manhattan, followed a previous order displacing residents from the entire region south of the Litani River. The Lebanese government reported that shelters in Beirut were full, directing evacuees to seek refuge further north. The mass exodus was triggered by Israeli airstrikes in response to Hezbollah launching rockets at Israel, marking a return to war for Lebanon. Residents were forced to leave their homes with few belongings, as the Israeli military expanded the areas under evacuation orders.