Lebanon: Flash Update #27 - Escalation of hostilities in South Lebanon, as of 20 September 2024

HIGHLIGHTS

111,696 individuals (52% females) have been displaced from South Lebanon due to the ongoing hostilities, as of 17 September (source: DTM).

3,725 casualties have been reported, including 613 deaths. Among these, at least 147 civilian deaths have been confirmed (source: MoPH, OHCHR).

On 7 September, an Israeli air strike killed three Civil Defense volunteers when trying to contain fires triggered by a barrage of Israeli air strikes.

On 17 and 18 September, simultaneous explosions of pagers and two-way radios belonging to Hezbollah, injured more than 3,000 people, and killed at least 37 people, overwhelming already stretched medical services.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Lebanon continues to be severely impacted by ongoing hostilities, with daily exchanges of fire across the southern border. Over the past two weeks, there has been a marked intensification in the conflict with Lebanon experiencing its deadliest day since 8 October 2023 on 17 and 18 September. The simultaneous explosions of pagers and two-way radios over the two days killed at least 37 people and injured more than 3,000. The explosions caused severe injuries, including loss of digits, facial and eye injuries, and abdominal wounds, overwhelming medical services with the arrival of hundreds of affected people seeking assistance at the same time. In response to the above incidents, the Minister of Public Health (MoPH) activated the Command-and-Control Center (CCC) and was at the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) to ensure effective coordination and patient distribution to different hospitals. Health partners supported the MoPH with essential medicine and medical supplies and trauma and surgical kits. The Lebanese Red Cross (LRC) coordinated blood donations and distribution to different hospitals treating critical patients.

To date, at least 147 civilians have been killed in Lebanon since October 2023. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), the total number of casualties stands at 3,725, including 613 fatalities.
As of 17 September, Lebanon had recorded 111,696 internally displaced persons (IDPs), with:

Some 77 per cent of IDPs living in host settings, while 20 per cent opted for rental housing. Another 2 percent have relocated to secondary residences. Around 1 per cent were housed in 15 collective shelters.
Of the 77 percent in host settings, 28,354 were co-living with non-internally displaced families, while 58,346

111,696 individuals (52% females) have been displaced from South Lebanon due to the ongoing hostilities, as of 17 September (source: DTM).

3,725 casualties have been reported, including 613 deaths. Among these, at least 147 civilian deaths have been confirmed (source: MoPH, OHCHR).

On 7 September, an Israeli air strike killed three Civil Defense volunteers when trying to contain fires triggered by a barrage of Israeli air strikes.

On 17 and 18 September, simultaneous explosions of pagers and two-way radios belonging to Hezbollah, injured more than 3,000 people, and killed at least 37 people, overwhelming already stretched medical services. resided separately. According to IOM, 20 per cent of the 86,700 individuals in host settings lived in overcrowded conditions.

1,246 displaced people were hosted in 15 collective shelters, with six located in Tyre, five in Hasbaya, three in Nabatieh, and one in Saida.

35 percent of IDPs were children (< 18 years), while 34 percent are female adults, and 31 percent are male adults.

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.