What is happening in Lebanon?
While the war in Gaza continues to take a devastating toll, the Israeli forces violence has now escalated in Lebanon and other areas of the Middle East. Here's what's happening, and what you can do to help.
Latest updates from Lebanon
- Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have forced more than one million people to flee their homes.
- A 60-day ceasefire agreement in Lebanon came into effect from 27 November.
- Over 2,000 people have been killed by Israeli airstrikes over the past year, and more than 10,000 have been injured.
- 400,000 people have now fled into Syria.
- Without enough food, water, shelter and medicine, conditions will become unliveable for people who have fled.
- Shelters are overwhelmed, and hospitals are struggling to treat the countless injured.
Last updated: 27 November 2024
"This 60-day conditional pause in the hostilities will allow some of the 1.4 million people displaced by this brutal war to start returning to their homes, however hundreds of thousands of people have nowhere to return after Israel razed entire villages. A permanent agreement must be reached so that communities can begin to rebuild their lives."”
- Oxfam’s Lebanon Country Director Bachir Ayoub
What is the conflict in Lebanon about?
This conflict was predictable and avoidable. It is the result of the failure to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza. For decades, the people of Lebanon have endured one crisis after another without getting the opportunity to fully recover. This latest emergency will only deepen the existing challenges facing the people of Lebanon and further destabilize an already volatile region.”
- Oxfam’s Lebanon Country Director Bachir Ayoub
Image: Oxfam
A map of Lebanon, Gaza and the wider region.
Lebanon has faced crisis after crisis in recent years: a refugee crisis from the war in Syria, COVID-19, the Beirut Blast in 2020, a cholera outbreak in 2022, violent conflicts and an ongoing economic crisis which has resulted in skyrocketing poverty and the collapse of essential public services.
It can’t afford to bear the weight of this added disaster on its own.
Voices from Lebanon
What is Oxfam doing to help the people of Lebanon?
Oxfam has worked with partners and local organisations in Lebanon since 1993. Today we work with 30 partner organisations in North Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and Beirut. We work with Syrian and Palestinian refugees in Lebanon as well as Lebanese communities.
The partner organisations Oxfam works with in Lebanon deeply understand the needs of the communities they are part of. This includes work with people with disabilities and with people who are migrant workers.
Together we’re supporting people with emergency cash, food, clean, safe water and sanitation, hygiene and menstrual kits.
🔴Our colleague in Beirut, Lebanon has provided this update. People are in dire need of essential services, you can help. Please give what you can now at https://t.co/4SnRRTHzc5 #Lebanon pic.twitter.com/vQxvWHDA5N
— Oxfam (@oxfamgb) September 28, 2024
What needs to happen now in Lebanon and the wider region?
- An immediate and permanent ceasefire
- The protection of all civilians
- The UK must stop all arms sales to Israel
- All breaches of international law, in all forms, must end
- Work towards de-escalation of hostilities and a lasting and just peace for all people in Gaza, Lebanon and the wider region
The international community, including the UK, must condemn this escalation and take bold action to help stop it now. They must use all means at their disposal to secure an immediate and permanent ceasefire, as this is the only way to stop the death and destruction in Lebanon, Gaza, Israel and across the wider region, and stop any further escalation of violence.
Israel continues to act with impunity. It must be held to account for its actions in both Lebanon and Gaza. All parties must abide by international humanitarian law, and be held to account where potential violations have occurred.
Meanwhile, the UK continues to fuel the crisis by allowing the sale of arms to Israel. The recent announcement of a partial suspension of some arms licences from the UK is not enough. If the UK is serious about wanting to stop the crisis in Lebanon and Gaza, it must do more and stop ALL arms sales immediately.
This further escalation of violence in Lebanon underscores the urgent need for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
Find out more
- Stay informed with Oxfam's responses to the latest escalations in Lebanon.
- Read about what is happening in Gaza.
- Find out more ways you can help Gaza and Lebanon.