As daily Israeli airstrikes and bombardments continue to ravage parts of the country, the humanitarian situation in Lebanon has reached levels that exceed the severity of the 2006 war, with ongoing hostilities having left 2,867 dead and more than 13 000 injured since October 8, 2023, reported the Lebanese authorities. in the latest flash update of the United Nations humanitarian coordination office, OCHA.

Here are some highlights from this report:

• Among the 2,867 people killed and 13,047 injured since October 8, 2023, 178 children have been killed and 1,173 injured.
• A total of 842,648 people are internally displaced, 52 percent of them women and 48 percent men, according to the United Nations migration agency IOM.
• The UN health agency WHO reported 36 attacks on health facilities, with 85 health workers killed and 51 injured while on duty, between September 17 and October 31, 2024 .

The situation has further worsened in recent days, according to OCHA, which reported that the Israeli army had issued movement orders for the residents of Baalbek and Nabatieh, shortly before the airstrikes targeted these localities, as well as the first order to evacuate a refugee camp.

The destruction of critical infrastructure continues as the situation worsens.

Bombs destroy critical sites

The toll on the population has been exacerbated by the destruction of essential infrastructure, including health care, with many hospitals overwhelmed and urgently requesting blood donations to cope with the critical influx of victims.

The humanitarian coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Riza, condemned the attacks against civilians and infrastructure, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities to protect vulnerable populations.

Meanwhile, UN agencies and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) 10,000 troops in southern Lebanon continue to support vulnerable populations affected by the conflict, providing essential services and supplies.

Widespread panic over evacuation orders

Israel’s consecutive evacuation orders on October 30 and 31 for Baalbek triggered widespread panic and the displacement of civilians on the roads to Zahle and Akkar, according to the latest OCHA report. Many people spent the night in their vehicles, facing difficult weather and security conditions as they sought safety.

Similar evacuation notices have been issued in various localities in Nabatieh, Tire and the southern suburbs of Beirut, further intensifying the crisis, but such movement orders are not systematically issued before each strike, leaving civilians in the lurch. uncertain and vulnerable in the face of ongoing hostilities, the UN office said.

On October 31, the Israeli military issued the first-ever displacement order targeting a refugee camp – the Palestinian camp of Rashidieh – as well as 10 villages in southern Lebanon, forcing residents to make difficult decisions as options for safe haven were limited.

This follows last month’s strikes on two other Palestinian refugee camps, undertaken without warning or movement orders, OCHA reported.

Very dangerous conditions

Medical first responders continued to operate very dangerous situationsthe agency said.

In addition, pregnant women have been seriously affected by the escalation of violence in Lebanon, according to the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, UNFPA.

Intensifying conflict across the country has affected more than 11,000 pregnant women, with 1,300 of them expected to give birth imminently despite massive losses of infrastructure and a health system on the edge, according to UNFPA , which supports maternal health in Lebanon and Syria with essential medical care, psychological and logistical assistance to displaced and vulnerable women during the ongoing crisis.

At least one child dies every day

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) also issued a warning about the devastating physical and emotional impacts of the conflict on children, emphasizing that the war has left children traumatized, exhibiting profound emotional and physical distress, including increased anxiety, aggression and sleep disturbances.

Since October 4, 2024, at least one child has been killed and 10 children injured daily in the country, said the agency, which provides psychological support to thousands of people.

A real recovery can only begin with a permanent ceasefire, ensuring safe access to essential services for Lebanese children, UNICEF said.

Hunger on the rise

Food insecurity is expected to worsen significantly due to intensifying conflict and economic tensions, placing Lebanon on the list of hotspots of greatest concern, according to the ministry. latest report on hunger hotspots published by the United Nations food agencies.

From April to September 2024, 1.3 million people, or 23% of the Lebanese population, faced high levels of acute food insecurity, including 85,000 under emergency conditions.

The report calls for increased food aid, cash support and agricultural assistance to meet the needs of communities affected by the escalating crisis in Lebanon.

Read the full report on hunger hotspots here.

Parallel economic crisis

The ongoing conflict is also worsening Lebanon’s economic crisis, according to the United Nations World Food Program (PAM) reporting a potential contraction in gross domestic production (GDP) of up to 15.6 percent.

Key sectors like tourism and agriculture are severely affected, exacerbating inflation and destabilizing supply chains.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reported that the escalation of conflict is worsening the challenges faced by agriculture-dependent communities, intensifying an already serious food security crisis nationwide.

Israeli airstrikes continue to bombard food production areas. More than 1,900 hectares of agricultural land in the southern and Nabatieh governorates have been damaged or remain unused due to the ongoing conflict.