CHRONICLES OF DISPLACEMENT

October 1

LBCI reports that residents of 28 towns and villages were forced to evacuate as the war intensifies and as the IDF – through its spokesperson Avichay Adraee – issued evacuation orders for inhabitants living there. The movement of displaced people fleeing from Marjaayoun towards Hasbaya was disrupted as Israeli shelling created a crater in Kawkaba’s main road.

Middle East Eye reports that many displaced people are left sleeping in cars or on the streets, while fear of airstrikes and a possible ground invasion has heightened the psychological distress of both residents and IDPs. It claims that local and international organizations are providing food and basic necessities, but the scale of the displacement makes it challenging to meet the required needs.

UNRWA reports that it has activated its emergency response, opening 10 shelters across Lebanon to accommodate the increasing number of displaced persons. It adds that a total of 2,332 IDPs are registered in UNRWA shelters as of 30 September, representing an increase of 64% compared to the 1,424 reported on 27 September.

UNOCHA reports that the humanitarian community is launching a flash appeal to enable partners to rapidly deliver principled and effective humanitarian assistance for three months – October to December 2024. The appeal, which is complementary and in support of the Lebanese Government’s Lebanon Response Plan (LRP) 2024, calls for $425,745,000 to deliver life-saving assistance and protection to one million Lebanese, Syrians, Palestine refugees in Lebanon, Palestinian refugees from Syria, and migrants.

ACAPS reports that most of the 283 shelters that the Lebanese Government has opened to receive newly displaced people are public schools. It thus claims that the use of these educational institutions as shelters has disrupted education across Lebanon.

Megaphone News showcases Syrian persons displaced from Burj el Barajneh sleeping in a small park in Saifi, downtown Beirut, after many were refused access to public shelters because of being non-Lebanese.

The death toll of the Ain el Deleb massacre rises to above 50. Foreign Policy presents how many of the victims were displaced from places that are further south of Saida – like Nabatieh – and sought refuge in the area. Many speculations about the reason of such a strike: some argue that it was targeting a Hezbollah security commander while others said that it was for fueling sectarian tensions as the area is inhabited by Christians and Sunni Muslims.

Megaphone News publishes a short video report on the struggle of migrant domestic worker women displaced by the war. Many were abandoned by their employers and are sleeping on the streets of Beirut as they were denied shelter access.

Aljazeera reports about the welcoming atmosphere in Tripoli for displaced fleeing from the South.

Beit el Baraka association shares an Instagram video calling for donations and setting priorities. 

October 2

Save the Children reports that at least 1 million people in Lebanon – 1/5 of the population – are now displaced, with half leaving their homes in the past 4 days. It claims that the IDPs are struggling to find safety in shelters across the country, while the crisis has placed a massive pressure on hospitals as well as forced many to seek refuge in overcrowded public schools or with host families.

UNHCR reports that the current armed conflict has had devastating consequences and impacts on both Lebanese and Syrians displaced people. It also claims that at least 130,000 people are estimated to have crossed into Syria since 23 September, about 60% of them being Syrians while the rest being Lebanese as well as from other nationalities.

The New Humanitarian reports that many Syrian IDPs face discrimination in communal shelters, as they are denied of access and help, while many are forced to return to Syria despite the high risks of being arrested or violented by the regime. However, some of the Syrian displaced claim that discrimination is not uniform as some Lebanese have opened their homes to IDPs and various local NGOs sought to provide them with the required shelters.

L’Orient Today reports that the Lebanese government announced that it will channel all aid transparently through the U.N. in coordination with the relevant Lebanese ministries. Additionally, the cabinet is considering turning Beirut’s sport center (Madina Riyadiyya) into an IDP shelter.

Al-Arabiya News reports that UNOCHA claimed that 90% of the displaced fled within the last week. It adds that thousands are seeking refuge in improvised shelters, with more than 500 schools converted into temporary housing where many sleep on the classrooms’ floors. Others who could not find a place in these shelters are forced to sleep in mosques, churches, under bridges and even on the streets.

Raseef publishes a touching testimony by the friend of Julia Ramadan, the young girl who was helping the displaced and killed by the Israeli airstrike of Ain el Deleb. She writes: “Julia, with curly hair, fair skin, and pretty face. The tragedy repeats itself from Yousef, the angel of Gaza, to Julia, the angel of the South. They killed her so she couldn't tell me: I'm proud to be your friend.”

The New Arab relays the suffering of displaced migrant workers who were abandoned by their kafil and left by themselves without any support, while many were being denied access to public shelters as authorities prioritize Lebanese.

The Lebanese Government pledge for UN-led solution for the Syrian refugees in Lebanon amidst its own displacement crisis with 874 public shelters reaching full capacity.

L’Orient Today shares a list of the contacts of 38 organizations and associations for which people can donate for humanitarian relief concerning the displacement crisis.

October 3

CNN reports that IDPs are facing challenges in the capital Beirut where safety has dramatically decreased following strikes in the area. This has intensified the psychological and physical challenges faced by those who are already displaced, with many expressing feelings of exhaustion and traumatized from the ongoing displacement.

Oxfam reports that the Lebanese authorities and communities are struggling to provide adequate shelter and necessities, such as mattresses as well as essential cooking and sanitation items for the displaced individuals. The influx of IDPs has led to shelter overcrowding, with many reaching full capacity. Moreover, Oxfam’s partners claim that they are actively distributing aid but have expressed concerns about sustainability as more people continue to arrive.

Several news outlets, such as The New Arab and The Cradle, report that Israeli airstrikes targeted and completely flattened several residential buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs. This will have huge implication on displaced return and reconstruction in the future.

Al-Araby reports that Palestinian refugees in Lebanon flee to Palestinian Refugee Camps (PRCs) such as the Ein El Hilweh camp in Saida or other camps in the north. Refugees refused to settle in UNRWA shelters as they claim lacking privacy there. Instead, many prefer to seek refuge at friends or relatives’ homes.

Elnashra reports that Saida faces severe challenges due to the displacement crisis. The city and its suburbs are hosting around 12,000 IDPs, out of whom 7,000 are residing in 23 shelters, while 5,000 are residing in rented housing units or hosted by relatives or acquaintances. Locals share fears of Israel targeting the city, as well as meeting the basic needs of the displaced in a sustainable way. There are also many concerns about supporting children, women, elderly and those with special needs or with chronic diseases.

Elnashra reports that the Lebanese caretaker Economy Minister Amin Salam claimed that the displacement crisis in Lebanon is “unprecedented.” He confirms as well that “there is great Arab support for the Lebanese government to confront the displacement crisis.”

Ferry boats leaving from Tripoli towards South Turkey are a new mean for displaced to leave the country through the sea.

Reuters showcases how hundreds of expats are being evacuated from Lebanon through special flights allocated by their respective states.

Almodon reports on how the Alawite community of Jabal Mohsen in Tripoli is putting extra effort to heighten its capacity of hosting displaced families.

October 4

Reuters: the Masnaa border crossing, Lebanon’s main legal border crossing with Syria, was hit in the early morning by an Israeli airstrike. It cuts off a road used by hundreds of thousands of people to flee Israeli bombardments. Until today, 300,000 persons – mostly Syrians – have crossed the border towards Syria since the beginning of the escalation. According to Middle East Eye, hundreds of people initially attempting to escape Lebanon by car are now being forced to make their way by foot.

Al Jazeera reports that some of the migrant workers were left behind by their employers and were left to solely find their way back to safe areas, often without passports or papers. These workers have been excluded from many relief efforts, exacerbating their vulnerability; this is true as the Lebanese government has opened shelters in schools, primarily for Lebanese citizens. In parallel, Beirut Today estimates that 28,000 migrant workers were residing in South Lebanon and the Beqaa before the escalation, while 33,000 were in Beirut. But it is still early to determine how many of them are concerned by the displacement.

L’Orient Today reports that Iraqi Shiite holy shrines become a safe haven for displaced Lebanese. It adds that the role of religious and community organizations has been crucial in providing temporary relief and support to the displaced populations.

MTV Lebanon reports that Lebanese municipalities and NGOs are working tirelessly to provide assistance for the IDPs, but they are operating with very limited resources. In regions like Akkar, thousands of displaced individuals rely on these local efforts for survival.

Al-Araby reports that displaced people are complaining about disparities in healthcare access. Many are unable to receive adequate medical care due to the lack of resources. The overcrowded and unsanitary conditions in shelters pose serious health risks, including the spread of infectious diseases.

MTV Lebanon reports that families of LAF personnel are facing displacement themselves. It adds that the LAF is taking measures to support these families, but the situation remains challenging.

Asharq Al Awsat quoting the UNHCR declares that 900 state-run public shelters reached their maximum capacity, and many are left without any other choice than sleeping on the streets. 

LBC documenting the displacement of Christian families from the southmost village of Debel. Interesting to note that the family took the decision to leave way after the beginning of the hostilities and the escalation. The family left only after receiving an anonymous call – most probably from Israeli military – urging them to leave. 

October 5 

Al-Araby reports that Israeli evacuation orders have led to the evacuation of many Palestinians from the Palestinian Refugee Camps (PRCs) in southern Lebanon, particularly in the city of Tyre. Many have, in turn, fled to safer areas such as Saida and northern regions.

Asharq Al-Awsat reports that various public spaces, including nightclubs and exhibition centers, have been converted into shelters to accommodate the displaced persons. Notably, Shafiq Khazen, the owner of the famous Skybar nightclub, transformed his venue into an IDP refuge. This initiative reflects the broader efforts within the community to provide shelters for those affected by the conflict.

MTV Lebanon reports that the Disaster Management Committee in northern Lebanon claimed that as of October 5, 2024, there were 13,897 displaced individuals in official shelters, while most of the displaced found refuge in other places.

Al Jazeera reports about the challenges regarding the emergency plan. Involved actors are unable to address efficiently all the needs of the displaced people, which have reached 1.2 million people. The lack of adequate resources and infrastructure is exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

The autonomous administration led by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the northeastern parts of Syria declared hosting around 16,000 Syrian and Lebanese persons who had fled Lebanon following the Israeli escalated aggression. In parallel, the Syrian regime said that 200,000 Syrians and 72,000 Lebanese crossed the borders since the beginning of the war.

Arab News reports that China has evacuated 200 of its citizens and South Korea around 100 through special flights from Beirut.

LBCI reports new evacuation orders by IDF issued for buildings in Choueifat and Haret Hreik.

The Crisis and Disaster Management Room in Beirut Governorate urges displaced citizens currently residing in Beirut's streets and public squares to seek immediate assistance through phone numbers that it shared.

October 6 

UNHCR reports that the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi called for an urgent ceasefire and greater international support and response against the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in order to alleviate the sufferings of around 1.2 million displaced people. It includes launching a rapid appeal for $111 million, as reported by UNHCR, by the end of 2024, as part of a wider U.N. appeal for $425.7 million.

Middle East Eye reports that many of the Syrian refugees are heading towards Kurdish and Turkish-controlled areas in northern Syria. The Lebanese government estimates that around 310,000 people – most of them being Syrians – have fled since the beginning of the conflict. These refugees face numerous challenges, including extortion and exploitation at various checkpoints. Despite these hardships, they are seeking safety in northern Syria, often settling among relatives or in welcoming local communities.

NPR reports that as Israel expanded its bombardment in Lebanon, by targeting a Palestinian Refugee Camp (PRC) deep in the north for the first time, thousands continued to flee from danger zones, including Palestinian refugees themselves.

Al-Araby reports that the Lebanese caretaker Minister of Education Abbas Al-Halabi postponed the beginning of the schooling year until 4 November 2024. The decision comes amidst continued Israeli bombardments, security risks as well as the use of many public educational institutions as shelters for IDPs.

MTV Lebanon reports that the Lebanese caretaker Minister of Environment Nasser Yassin called for “saving Lebanon from the tragedy that the Lebanese are experiencing, especially those displaced from their towns, villages and homes in the suburbs.” Yassin acknowledged that Lebanon has never witnessed a displacement crisis with such a magnitude and that the government is trying to deal with it within its modest capabilities.

Alarabiya shares via Instagram IDF’s evacuation orders for 25 towns and villages in South Lebanon.

Al-Araby reports that the daily IDF evacuation orders that are being issued are similar to those experienced in Gaza. These orders are causing widespread panic and population movement fleeing towards safe zones.

LBCI reports in its news bulletin about the Israeli incursion and probable control over the southern town of Yaroun, where the IDF seemingly destroyed the mosque, showcasing a similar scenario to Gaza with the possibility of large scale destruction, jeopardizing quick and safe return of its inhabitants in the future.

October 7

First stories of spreading deceases in shelters due to poor sanitary conditions. Lebanon and the World reports that MP Abdul Rahman Al-Bizri in a radio interview claimed that while some cases of diarrhea and skin diseases have been recorder, the situation nevertheless remains under control.

Megaphone News reports via Instagram that the Lebanese security forces violently evicted some displaced people who had sought refuge in the Saifi Garden in Beirut, without providing alternative sheltering options for their accommodation.

Iraqi Ministry of Migration and Displacement announces via Facebook that the Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani issued a directive stipulating that Lebanese seeking refuge in Iraq should be called “guests of Iraq” instead of “displaced persons.”

According to an article in Al-Modon, the port of Tripoli became an alternative way for Lebanese to leave the country. Since September 27, four ferry boat cruises left the city towards the Turkish port of Mersin with a total of 1,360 persons, most being Lebanese displaced and some Turkish nationals. The transport company seeks to raise its capacity from 1,200 to 2,000 passengers per week.

LBCI posts on Instagram a video in which a displaced women shares her testimony. Very interesting to note that she found shelter in the exact same place where she was back in the 2006 war. Is this anecdotic case one among many others? Is there a displacement pattern based on past experiences?

Annahar documents the massive destruction in Beirut’s Southern Suburbs following Israeli violent airstrikes. The damage suggests a long reconstruction and a long-lasting displacement for many of the area’s inhabitants. 

October 8

Daraj Media reports via X platform that in the Syrian regime-held areas, Syrian refugees displaced from Lebanon due to Israeli bombardment continue to be subjected to arrest and financial extortion. Simultaneously, the Aoun al-Dadat crossing in northern Syria remains closed to those returning from Lebanon, leading to an increase in human trafficking and smuggling.

UNRWA releases its Situation Report No. 5 on the Lebanon Emergency Response. In response to the escalating airstrikes that have left many internally displaced, UNRWA launched a $27.3 million flash appeal and opened 12 emergency shelters, currently housing over 4,500 internally displaced persons, with the number expected to rise as the conflict continues.

LBCI shares numbers about the number of displaced who crossed from Lebanon to Syria. According to their sources, 236,000 Syrian refugees and 60,000 Lebanese crossed Masnaa border crossing since September 23, 2024, despite the damages caused by the IDF airstrike to the road towards Syria at the crossing.

Alarabiya via Instagram shows the dire and “shocking” conditions of the most vulnerable displaced families, many of whom are sleeping on the streets. 

Lebanon 24 publishes a video via X showing the arrestation by the Lebanese Armed Forces at the Chadra checkpoint in Akkar of Syrians smuggled from Syria to Lebanon. While hundred of thousands of Syrians flee back to Syria, some decide to flee to Lebanon, translating the complexity of human migration and forced displacement.

October 9

UNOCHA releases its Flash Update No. 33 regarding the escalation of hostilities in Lebanon. It showcases key data concerning the ongoing crisis and calls for immediate funding to efficiently address the needs. On important figure: 25% of Lebanese territory became subject to Israeli military evacuation orders as presented in the report by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

NNA reports that Lebanese caretaker Minister of Social Affairs Hector Hajjar reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment in protecting and serving all displaced persons. He also rejected accusations of discrimination among various displaced groups and underlined the ministry’s role in coordinating with international organizations for shelter and aid. He also condemned the Israeli attacks on civilians and reiterated his support for the voluntary return of Syrian refugees to Syria.

Asharq Al-Awsat reports that the Lebanese government announced that it is studying the option to consider prefabricated houses as a solution to accommodate displaced people – especially the non-Lebanese – on open public lands, in cooperation with donors and Arab states. This marks the first time the government has announced the discussion of such a proposal.

WHO and Health Cluster release a Public Health Situation Analysis (PHSA). It outlines essential data concerning the ongoing crisis, claiming that displacement has now surpassed that of the 2006 war.

L’Orient Today reports that two U.N. officials, the U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, and the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Lebanon Imran Riza, warned that Lebanon is facing “a conflict and a humanitarian crisis of catastrophic proportions” as well as “one of the deadliest periods” in its recent history, as the number of internally displaced people hits 600,000.

Middle East Eye posts a video on Instagram documenting the journey of Lebanese refugees who fled the country to Iraq. Most of them went to the holy city of Karbala. Iraqi authorities are facilitating their entry without asking for complex personal documents. Many were hosted in hotel complexes and served by local charity organizations. 

Aljadeed shares in a report that was published on Facebook the multifaced daily struggles of the displaced in public shelters through the case of a school turned into a shelter in Chiyah. There is a lack of water and hygiene. Some displaced reported tensions among hosted displaced. Some were suspected to be COVID-19 infected and did not abide by the measures of confinement.

L’Orient Today documents the outbreak of clashes in Ain el Mraysseh between displaced persons and the Internal Security Forces. Tensions were triggered by the decision of the police to dismantle kiosks that were set on the corniche by some displaced persons. Amateur videos show the brutality of these altercations.

October 10

Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper reports that the Iraqi Ministry of Migration has estimated that around 7,000 Lebanese citizens have arrived in Iraq as they fled Israeli bombardments and the ongoing war in Lebanon. While it denied rumors of a plan to resettle these refugees in Iraq, the head of Najaf’s Provincial Council has called on the Iraqi parliament to take advantage of their expertise and propose them to work in governmental institutions.

VDL News reports that a clash occurred between the Lebanese security forces and several displaced who were asked to remove their illegally installed stands and tents that they have set all along the corniche in Ain El Mreisseh, Beirut. The ISF claimed that it worked on removing these violations while noting that the displaced people were to be transferred to other places in adequate shelters.

Manateq Net reports via Instagram that more than 10,000 residents from bombed regions in the Beqaa fled towards the town of Deir al-Ahmar. It notes that locals from the town welcomed the displaced in their homes, schools and churches and provided them with all the essential services. The welcoming came as well at the request and coordination of the Lebanese Forces, according to Deir al-Ahmar’s emergency committee members.

LBCI reports via Instagram that more than 1,000 U.S. citizens and their family members left Lebanon on flights arranged by the U.S. to Turkey since October 2.

NNA reports that the Disaster and Crisis Management Room in Beirut Governorate announced the launch of an electronic form to register displaced persons residing in housing units within the city of Beirut. This digital platform aims at monitoring and addressing the needs in a data-driven and evidence-based approach.

Lutheran World Relief releases its Situation Report No. 1 regarding the displacement crisis in Lebanon. It outlines essential data concerning the ongoing crisis, which includes that 47% of the IDPs are in fact children and that around 700,000 women and children are in urgent need of protection and healthcare services.

October 11

Al-Arabiya reports that Hezbollah Media Relations Officer Mohammed Afif apologized from the displaced for what he considered to be a shortcoming on the part of the party but promised them safe and decent return.

UNRWA releases its Situation Report No. 6 on the Lebanon Emergency Response. It reveals that it suspended most of its operations in the Tyre area and launched a $27.3 million flash appeal to address the urgent humanitarian needs. However, of the previously 12 shelters that were opened, UNRWA claims that one of them has closed while three others have reached their maximum capacity.

Asharq Al-Awsat reports that the head of the IOM in the MENA region, Othman Belbeisi, described the displacement crisis in Lebanon as “devastating”, while warning that international support was falling short and not meeting the needs.

DIWAN – Carnegie Middle East quotes the Lebanese government claiming that the conflict led to the displacement of over 1.2 million people, creating a humanitarian crisis with many seeking refuge in Syria or being hosted by relatives, while initial relief efforts faced challenges due to limited resources and insufficient coordination. Despite the mobilization of local communities for aid provision, the crisis’ prolongation might further strain resources and increase tensions in host areas.

Aljazeera shares a video report posted on Instagram about the situation of the residents of the southern Christian town of Qlayaa, most of whom (2/3 of them) decided to stay and refused to evacuate. 

October 12

Lebanon24 reports that displaced persons were evacuated from the Hilton Hotel in Raouche by the LAF and security forces.

Al-Arabiya reports that the IDF bombed Deir Billa in the outskirts of Batroun district, targeting two houses hosting displaced people who fled from Chakra, South Lebanon.

Al-Arabiya reports that the IDF raided Barja in coastal Chouf, targeting a residential building housing displaced people.

UNOCHA releases its Flash Update No. 34 regarding the escalation of hostilities in Lebanon. It presents essential data concerning the ongoing crisis, while warning that the rapid displacement in the country, along with the continuous overcrowding in shelters, have serious repercussions on the health sector, most prominently being the likelihood of the spread of infectious diseases.

Al-Markazia reports that, according to the U.N. Human Rights Office, more than 420,000 displaced persons have crossed the Lebanese-Syrian borders so far, out of whom 310,000 were Syrians. Additionally, the Syrian regime prevented Lebanese displaced from free movement in Syria by issuing an emergency card for Lebanese refugees upon arrival to Syria. Also, many fleeing Syrians who were renting housing units in Lebanon were reported trying to sublet their units to Lebanese displaced tenants for amounts ranging between $200 and $400. 

NNA reports that the coordinator of the Lebanese Government Emergency Committee, the Minister of Environment in the caretaker government Nasser Yassin, claims that the Lebanese General Security recorded the crossing of only 320,184 Syrian citizens and 117,727 Lebanese citizens into Syrian territory.

NNA reports that the coordinator of the Lebanese Government Emergency Committee, Minister of Environment in the caretaker government, Nasser Yassin, released Report No. 17 concerning the Israeli attacks on Lebanon and the current situation. He claims that, to date, 1,032 centers have been opened to receive displaced persons, of which 863 have reached their maximum capacity.

NNA reports that the Lebanese caretaker Minister of Social Affairs in the caretaker government Hector Hajjar organized and delivered humanitarian aid through a convoy including various food, medical, logistical and social aid to the municipality of Jdeidet Marjeyoun. The aid was provided by the ministry and several international organizations.

October 13

Annahar reports that hundreds of displaced Syrians from Tripoli arrived to Akkar but were met with reservations. In turn, Lebanese central authorities requested from Akkar’s authorities to secure a plot of land to build new camps for displaced Syrian families. The governorate’s Mufti Sheikh Zaid Bakkar Zakaria expressed his reservations about this request.

October 14

Legal Agenda reports that security concerns have risen among residents in the northern part of Lebanon after an Israeli attack on Aitou in Ehden, the second one in the governorate, which killed over 20 displaced persons who sought refuge in a residential building. Residents are asking displaced families to leave the homes that they have rented in the Zgharta district. In addition, messages are circulating on social media among homeowners identifying homes in northern cities where displaced have sought refuge in and asking the IDPs to evacuate.

NNA reports that MP Jihad al-Samad claims that 90% of the displaced people in Danniyeh have been registered, and that their basic needs have been provided. However, there remains a dilemma concerning those who have rented homes as they have not received any aid for about 3 weeks. 

NNA reports that the parish priest of the southern town of Debel Fadi Felfeleh stressed that residents are instating on remaining in their town. This stance came just after Israeli artillery shelled a house in the town near the church, followed by a raid, which slightly injured a girl.

An Instagram video reporting the complex situation of Syrian refugees in Lebanon and their struggle through displacement. The video highlights the perceptions of Syrian refugees who are pressured to evacuate from a public school in Tripoli, but they are scared and unwilling to leave.

NNA reports that the Lebanese caretaker Minister of Social Affairs Hector Hajjar announced the beginning of aid distribution in the northern districts, emphasizing the necessity of providing shelters for displaced people who are homeless. He insists on facilitating the repatriation of Syrian refugees as some schools in Tripoli are hosting many of them.

NNA reports that the North Governor Judge Ramzi Nohra explains the mechanism for distributing aid to the displaced within the North Lebanon Governorate, both for those residing inside and outside shelter centers.

ILO announces a plan to improve the living conditions of displaced people as well as to provide jobs for local communities. This initiative aims at creating inclusive job opportunities and shelter rehabilitation by promoting early economic recovery while restoring livelihoods for the most severely affected communities by the displacement crisis.

October 15

NNA reports that the General Directorate of Civil Engineering at the Lebanese Ministry of Interior and Municipalities announces that it provided water for displaced shelters in different areas of the country.

UNICEF & WFP report that an urgent humanitarian response is required amidst the escalating conflict, as needs are increasing along with the demand for additional funding. Despite their praise for the solidarity amongst Lebanese communities, they warned that the severity of the crisis and the needs pose a serious challenge to the country’s social fabric.

NNA reports that the Operations Room of the Disaster and Crisis Risk Management Cell in the Municipality of Saida announced detailed statistical tables regarding the support provided through the cell to the displaced. It includes information for donors and beneficiaries, the type of support and the numbers delivered for the period between October 5 and October 13, 2024. The cell published also an electronic link redirecting users to the data and statistics.

Megaphone News documents the Israeli attacks on Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon. It published a map that shows the shelling and evacuation threats since the start of the aggression on Lebanon which involved the targeting of 6 Palestinian camps across the country.

NNA reports that Deir Ammar municipality asked from IDPs residing on its territory to register on its list of displaced persons to collect the necessary data as well as distribute the required aid.

NNA reports that the Lebanese caretaker Minister of Environment Nasser Yassin outlined the stifling crisis of the displaced during his visit to the Maronite Patriarch al-Rahi in Bkerke. The minister warned that the number of displaced people, which has reached 1.2 million, could increase if the war expands, while also stressing on the need to address the IDP’s needs before the beginning of the winter.

NNA reports that the Lebanese Government’s Emergency Committee released its 19th report regarding the current situation in the country following the Israeli aggression. It claims that 77% of the public schools are unable to provide educational services because they are being used as shelters or were damaged by Israeli bombardment. The report highlights that 40% of students enrolled in technical and vocational education, as well as 57% of the Lebanese University students and 32% of students in private higher education institutions are from areas that have been directly targeted by the Israeli aggression.

October 16

Annahar reports that the MOPH officially announced that it detected the first case of cholera infecting a Lebanese national in Akkar since the beginning of the war. MOPH is investigating the case by collecting samples from contacts and searching for other cases around the patient. It also declared the activation of a national anti-cholera emergency plan including the implementation of containment procedures. In parallel, WHO announced to be cooperating with the ministry to contain the epidemy, highlighting the high risks of contamination and spread in overcrowded shelters that are under-equipped and unable to cope with the growing numbers of displaced people in the context of Lebanon’s strained healthcare system.

LBCI highlights in its prime-time news the outbreak of an epidemic of Scabies in shelters, with 86 cases detected in 66 shelters, mostly in Beirut and Akkar, due to insufficient access to water. Minister Yassine said to work along with UNHCR to provide shelters with additional water tanks and water supply. 

MTV Lebanon reports that the Head of Bikfaya Municipality confirmed that there is no person in the area who poses a danger to the residents and visitors. This came after rumors circulating on social media that some prominent Hezbollah figures were seeking refuge in the town. The municipality said to have worked on verifying the identity of the displaced people in the area as well as ensuring that no weapons are to be found among them.

NNA reports that Baabdat Municipality is monitoring the situation of the displaced people in its jurisdiction and will work on ensuring the safety of its residents. This came as several websites claimed that “a financial figure terrorizes his neighbors in Baabdat,”, pushing the municipality to provide residents with clarifications and declaring to coordinate with the military intelligence as well as the relevant agencies to avoid any further problem. These cases translate the growing fears among host communities which are fueled by the methods of the IDF in targeting displaced communities.

Megaphone News relays the Government’s Emergency Committee which issued its 19th report, in which it declared that 77% of the public schools are unable to provide education because they were either transformed to shelters or were damaged by the Israeli aggression.

In his dedicated section on Aljadeed TV’s war coverage, Riad Kobeissi reveals some fraudulent behaviors of actors concerning in-kind aid distribution to displaced across the country. 

October 17

NNA reports that the displacement crisis unit of Zgharta is working on keeping a live track of the displaced present in the district’s shelters through updating the data daily. The task is to be completed by the shelters’ directors. The unit aims at registering also the displaced residing outside the shelters in coordination with the municipalities which have to declare the registered IDPs in order for them to benefit from adequate aid.

NNA reports that the Lebanese caretaker Minister of Social Affairs Hector Hajjar criticized the government’s response to the displacement crisis, adding that the priority for aid distribution is for shelters centers, followed by IDPs residing in private housing units.

Asharq Al-Awsat presents how schools transformed to shelters are overcrowded by IDPs, which increases the possibility for spreading epidemics and diseases in the absence of a government plan and proper basic hygiene measures to overcome the risk. Around 86 cases of scabies have been reported so far among displaced persons. These were documented across 66 shelters, most of them in Akkar.

October 18

MTV Lebanon reports that a dispute occurred around the Hawsh al-Omara mosque and the public school in Zahle between a resident and several displaced people as he was accused of taking pictures of their shelter. The incident led to an LAF intervention to prevent any escalation. The residents rejected the accusations and claimed that the resident was taking random pictures. This new incident illustrates again the growing fear and mistrust among residents and displaced alike.

NNA reports that the head of the Lebanese Government’s Emergency Committee, caretaker Minister of Environment Nasser Yassin, claimed that the WFP provides 200,000 meals on a daily basis to IDPs and that 600 schools have been transformed into shelters.

NNA reports that the head of the municipality of Al-Qaa Bashir Matar issued a report on the aid provided to the 3,750 displaced people in the area. the municipality, in cooperation with local and international organizations, provided a total of 1,200 hot meals (600 to every IDP living in shelters as well as in homes).

UNICEF activates its emergency cholera response, along with MOPH and other partners, to help in protecting children and families by containing the spread of the disease. The organization switched towards prioritizing the optimization of water and sanitation, as well as health and community awareness sessions in response to the threat of cholera in Lebanon.

October 19

NNA reports that several health associations and organizations called on MOPH to monitor IDP foodstuff aid following cases of poisoning in two schools in Bar Elias, central Beqaa. They also stressed on the need to equip shelters with clean water and to check the existing water infrastructure to avoid such risk in the future.

NNA reports that the Lebanese Government’s Emergency Committee released it 23rd report regarding the current situation in the country following the Israeli aggression. It claims that to date, 1,094 public shelters have been opened, with 901 having reached maximum capacity. Beirut and Mount Lebanon Governorates were identified as hosting the majority of IDPs. Also, the number of IDPs has increased to 191,912 (44,806 families).

October 20

New waves of displacement after IDF escalation by targeting the Qard el Hassan Hezbollah-affiliated microfinancing organization. Many people living next to the organization’s many branches across the country fled during the night after Israeli evacuation orders. This is the case in Tyre, Beirut, Hermel, or Saida. 

Legal Agenda and other associations call for opening all public parks as temporary shelters for displaced people and to prevent any arbitrary measures or the use of force against them. It documents several cases and locations where IDPs were forced to leave public spaces such as was the case in public parks in Zahle and Saifi as well as sidewalks and streets in downtown Beirut.

Manateq via its Instagram account documents through testimonies what did displaced persons carried with them when they were forced to leave their homes. Some took their cat, others the homemade “makdous”.

October 21

RFI reports that the Lebanese security forces faced resistance as they sought to evict displaced families sheltering in an abandoned building in Hamra, Beirut. Al Arabiya claims that the IDPs entered the building without the owners’ consent and permission. Many accounts reported the videos of the clashes on social media. The clashes came as Lebanese caretaker Minister of Interior and Municipalities Bassam Mawlawi vowed not only to protect the displaced people and the host communities, but the public and private properties as well from any encroachments.

L'Orient Today reports later that an agreement was reached between the police and the protesting displaced families.

Annahar relays the news circulating on social media about the arrest of 40 Syrians in Mazraat Yachouh, Metn, who were smuggled in a truck and allegedly carrying sticks for olive harvesting.

Alarabiya and This is Beirut cover the new wave of last minute displacement of Ouzai, South Beirut, after IDF evacuation orders against targets in the area for the first time. According to local rescuers, the evacuation order, then the strike, caused "panic among residents" who "started to run in the streets". Later, the Israelis targeted the Rafik Hariri Hospital, killing 4, and causing further panic in the area.

Syria Direct documents how the war in Lebanon forces Syrians to go back to an unsafe Syria, especially covering the journey of those going to areas held by the opposition. 

October 22

The IDF targets the Masnaa road, the main artery linking Lebanon to Syria, for the second time after the initial strike about three weeks ago. Almodon describes how the bombing, made the displacement more difficult. People must cross now around 2 kilometers on foot for the section in-between the 2 craters, before joining cars from the other side of the border. The newspaper notes that 425,000 persons have crossed so far to Syria, ¾ of them being Syrians. 

U.N. Women reports that as the conflict in southern Lebanon intensifies, Israeli airstrikes are displacing a growing number of people, pushing them from southern cities and shelters towards the less-prepared northern regions. Additionally, U.N. Women highlights key testimonies from the displaced themselves who express the challenges they face in this crisis, while simultaneously acknowledging the help and care that the host communities are providing.

Save the Children reports that as 400,000 children have been forcibly displaced from their homes, towns and villages, the risk of them getting infected by various types of diseases has significantly risen. With the first case of cholera being reported, children in Lebanon face serious risks of skin diseases, cholera, as well as other waterborne illnesses. The latter are fostered by the overcrowding and the lack of basic and sanitation facilities in the shelters that they have sought refuge in.

The Policy Initiative, along with other organizations such as Public Works, publishes a brief report on the exclusion of displaced people from public spaces across the country, such as the Horsh of Beirut, Sanayeh garden, or public parks in Zahle. It also refers to the violence employed by security forces to evict these persons. These measures do contradict previous episodes of displacement like 2006 or 1982, during which many of these places were accessible for displaced families fleeing conflict. 

New areas of South Beirut were targeted by Israeli airstrikes after evacuation orders. These strikes targeted Ghobeiry area around Tayyouneh, at the boundary between Dahieh and Beirut city. 

Megaphone News documents in a video the return of Syrians fleeing the war in Lebanon to regions such as Idlib. Their testimonies tell a lot about the difficulties faced in these situations. 

October 23

UNICEF reports that around 400,000 children have been displaced due to the ongoing war in Lebanon. Many are living in ad-hoc shelters, such as public schools or tents on streets and beaches, as they seek safety and stability. UNICEF and its partners are providing essential support, including water and hygiene kits, to help displaced children and families to cope with their devastating losses and uncertain future. However, the needs are enormous, and tens of thousands of families are living in difficult circumstances.

Reuters reports that the coordinator of the Lebanese Government Emergency Committee, Lebanese caretaker Minister of Environment Nasser Yassin, claimed that Lebanon needs $250 million per month to better answer to the critical needs of the displaced people. The government and other local and international actors managed to cover only 20% of the required needs for IDPs. The minister calls for desperate financial backing to cover basic food, water, sanitation and education services.

The General Security (GS) declares that foreigners with expired work permits (including migrant domestic workers) can now renew it and leave the country upon providing a “Bara’at dhimma” that releases them from their obligations or liabilities. 

October 24

AP reports that Hamra Street is full of displaced people from southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and southern suburb of Beirut. While the influx has temporarily revived local businesses, it has also led to overcrowded hotels, rising tensions, and logistical chaos, with traffic congestion disrupting daily life.

UNHCR reports a statement given by the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi delivered at the International Conference in Support of Lebanon in Paris. He claims that the displacement crisis in Lebanon is one of the “most catastrophic” and that parts of the country have been depopulated. As 1/5 of the population has been displaced, with 430,000 crossing into neighboring Syria (70% of whom being Syrians while 30% being Lebanese), Grandi stressed on the need for a ceasefire and to provide much needed aid to the displaced.

The Public Source documents the fight of displaced for housing rights in the context of the clashes that occurred during this week between squatting displaced families and security forces in Beirut.

Middle East Eye posts a video on its Instagram account about the struggle faced by dozens of women from Sierra Leone who found refuge in a warehouse near Dahieh following Israel’s aggression on Lebanon. The IOM estimates that around 17,500 migrants have been displaced by the war.

October 25

Annahar reports that an Israeli airstrike targeted the Masnaa border crossing once again, for the third time since the beginning of the war, deepening the existent crater and cutting a small pass that was still used by those crossing the border between Syria and Lebanon.

Sky News Arabia reports that the Lebanese Government Emergency Committee claimed that the General Security recorded the crossing of 348,237 Syrian citizens and 156,505 Lebanese citizens into Syrian territory since September 23.

Al Arabiya reports that Israel’s targeting of the Al-Qaa and Al-Masnaa crossings, the two main and official crossings that link Lebanon to Syria in the Bekaa Valley, have not only led to their closure, but has hindered as well the attempts by displaced Lebanese and Syrian refugees to flee the country.

L’Orient Today reports that the Disaster Risk Management Cell of Beirut Governorate announced that more than 400 displaced people living in tents along the capital’s coastal corniche have been relocated to a shelter center in the Karantina neighborhood in coordination with the ISF. It adds that a second phase to accommodate the remaining displaced individuals from the corniche will be completed in the coming days.

Manateq reports that amidst the massive displacement crisis that Lebanon is witnessing, rent exploitation has significantly raised, with landlords imposing disproportionate fees. The government’s efforts to address housing remain ineffective with the absence of protective rental policies and as municipal oversight lacks regulatory power. The situation fosters the emergence of a chaotic market driven by profit, in which IDPs are the most vulnerable.

Al Jazeera reports that the Al-Marj marketplace in the Bekaa Valley has become a market for the poor and a breathing space for the displaced Lebanese and Syrians alike. The marketplace has welcomed thousands of southerners fleeing the war as well as more than half a million of displaced Syrians, who have been able to buy their fundamental needs at much lower prices than in traditional markets, shops and stores, sign it aligns with their income in light of the massive economic crisis that Lebanon is going through.

Al-Akhbar reports that Lebanon has presented a document at the Paris Conference outlining the impacts of the war and the ways to respond effectively to the crisis. The Lebanese government has requested $1.1 billion to cover the humanitarian impact of the war, the urgent needs of the displacement crisis ($425.7 million) and to address the needs of the public institutions ($627.1 million) to strengthen, support and restore public services.

The Arab Weekly: Lebanon secures $1 billion in the Paris conference, $800 million of which being a pledge in humanitarian aid for the displaced.

October 26

Asharq Al-Awsat reports that the Lebanese caretaker Minister of Displaced Issam Sharafeddine visited Damascus as he met with Syrian Interior Minister Mohammad al-Rahmoun to discuss the Syrian refugee issue in Lebanon. The two ministers discussed the return of the displaced Syrian refugees from Lebanon, and the facilities provided to the Lebanese refugees in Syria. Al-Rahmoun claimed that his government provided all the necessary to secure the return of displaced Syrians and the entry of Lebanese by allowing them to enter with any travel document issued by Lebanese authorities.

October 27

Al Jazeera reports that the displaced people are seriously suffering from the cold weather with the absence of adequate equipment in the Jab Jannin Public High School, which serves as a shelter for the displaced in West Bekaa. The IDPs claim that they lack winter equipment, especially clothes, heaters and hot water to cope with the rising cold.

Rudaw reports that the Iraqi Ministry of Education announced that approvals have been granted to open schools following the Lebanese curricula in Iraq, with the presence of Lebanese educational staff and administrators currently in the country. This comes as the number of Lebanese, including students, are fleeing their home country and seeking refuge in Iraq due to the Israeli aggression on Lebanon.

LBCI publishes a video showing how some displaced are offered free rides on tourist boats in Batroun as a way to make them forget and enjoy their daily struggles. 

AP documents how the Israeli strikes on the main border crossings between Lebanon and Syria are causing difficulties for displaced, among others.

October 28

Manateq publishes a video via Instagram showcasing anectodical stories of people returning to their homes since they could not afford to rent anymore. For example, a man explains how he stayed in Tyre, despite continuous Israeli airstrikes, to help the residents and the displaced who are unable to flee to safer locations due to high rental prices.

Doctors Without Borders publishes testimonies from displaced people in Lebanon revealing the challenges – especially medical – and sufferings of IDPs in the context of an overstretched health system. Despite these negative impacts, one IDP kept an optimistic approach, hoping to return to his home with the end of the war as was previously the case after past conflicts.

LBCI reports that the Lebanese caretaker Minister of Displaced Issam Sharafeddine declared that 160,000 Lebanese citizens recently fled to Syria, while 400,000 Syrian refugees have returned to their homeland. Sharafeddine stressed that Syria was open to the return of its refugees in Lebanon. But Human Rights Watch underlined that displaced Syrians refugees fleeing Lebanon risk repression and persecution by the regime upon their return, including forced disappearance, torture, and death in detention.

Asharq Al-Awsat reports tensions within host communities and displaced. The article argues that these tensions might be beneficial to Israel. It claims that host communities seem apprehensive about their security and fear that the prolongation of the crisis will exacerbate problems with IDPs.

October 29

The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) publishes a report showcasing serious and widespread human rights violations against Syrian refugees returning from Lebanon to their native country. It highlights how at least 26 displaced Syrian refugee returnees were arrested by the regime, 2 of them even killed under torture.

Al Mayadeen reports an initiative by displaced people from southern Lebanon in Chouf. The IDPs proposed the idea of ​​painting and decorating the external walls of the Mazraat Chouf School as a kind of cooperation and gratitude to the place that hosted them.

Elnashra reports that Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud declared that some displaced persons have forcefully occupied private properties – including private schools – in Beirut and are demanding financial compensation in return for them to leave. He warns that such violations might lead to conflicts, while stressing on the need to provide alternative shelters for the IDPs. 

Aljadeed via X: IDF targets the Masnaa broder crossing for the fifth time since the beginning of the war. Annahar publishes a video circulating on social media showing that the crater became deeper and more difficult to cross by displaced fleeing to Syria.

October 30

Raseef22 relays via Instagram the testimony of a displaced mother in Ramlet El Bayda who describes her family’s devastating conditions as she fears for the future of her children as well as her own. They have been living on the streets and lack most fundamental needs, including privacy, security, as well as women’s basic needs.

Reuters: IDF publishes evacuation orders for the entire city of Baalbek and its surroundings. Le Monde and L’Orient Today show how the evacuation orders created panic and shoch among the locals who started to flee the region, marking a new chapter of the displacement crisis. Al-Monitor reports the massive bombings of Baalbek following the evacuation orders.

NPR reports that as Israel intensified its bombardments on the city Baalbek, several residents believed that heading to seek refuge in the ancient Roman temples would guarantee their safety as the ruins benefit from an internationally protected status. However, the governor of Baalbek-Hermel Bachir Khodr urged them to flee out from the city.

BBC reports that – predominantly sectarian – tensions have risen in Beirut due to the increasing influx of IDPs. This has prompted the formation of various neighborhood watches such as in Achrafieh, in order to reassure the residents of the areas. But many voiced their concerns regarding such initiatives since it carries echoes of the Lebanese war.

HRW publishes a report explaining how Syrians fleeing Lebanon risk repression, torture and death upon return to Syria.

October 31

Al Jazeera reports that displaced people forcefully entered an abandoned hotel called the Hamra Star in Hamra, Beirut to squat it and use it as a shelter. The IDPs joined their efforts and turned the abandoned building into a somewhat livable place.

Al Arabiya reports that UNOCHA revealed that more than 830,000 people have been internally displaced in Lebanon due to the ongoing war, 52% of whom were women. It adds that 189,298 of these displaced persons are residing in 1,100 shelters scattered across the country, 935 of which (84%) reached maximum capacity.

Elnashra reports that the coordinator of the Governmental Emergency Committee, Minister of Environment in the caretaker government Nasser Yassin, claimed that the highest percentage of displaced persons was recorded in Mount Lebanon and Beirut governorates. He adds that the General Security recorded the crossing of 358,133 Syrian citizens and 172,604 Lebanese citizens into Syrian territory since September 23.

Jusoor Post reports that as some shops and humanitarian organizations responded to the displacement crisis by opening their doors to host the displaced, some places of worship refused to do the same. Various human rights activists expressed their anger towards this phenomenon as those failed in providing assistance in critical time.

ISF reports that it removed the remaining tents in Ramlet El Bayda. However, Public Works Studio declared that these were evicted by force without providing any alternatives. This was also evidenced by Megaphone News which shared the testimonies of some of the displaced who were forcibly evicted from the area, many of them being non-Lebanese. 

The Syrian Observer relaying the HRW and SOHR reports showcased earlier notes that at least 200 of the 2,700 war fatalities are Syrians. 

December 1

The Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, issues a warning statement, via X platform, for the third consecutive day, asking the residents of a list of designated towns and villages in the South not to return to their homes.

Al Jazeera reports that many IDPs have returned to public shelters due to Israeli warnings prohibiting residents from returning to over 60 towns along the border.

Annahar reports that the Al-Qaa border crossing between Syria and Lebanon is facing heavy traffic as thousands of displaced Lebanese are returning to Lebanon.

Annahar reports that IDPs in Akkar are preparing to return to their hometowns, while the governorate’s disaster management room reports that the number of IDPs who are still in the governorate has retracted to around 16,756 displaced (3,969 families). 221 (51 families) of them are living in shelters while 16,535 (3,918 families) are residing in houses across 142 towns. However, people in Akkar expressed their concerns over the probability of a new wave of refugees from Syria due to the mounting instability in the neighboring country.

December 2

Daily News Lebanon reports that the Lebanese caretaker Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Bassam Mawlawi, stated that authorities have evaluated the displacement period, and concluded that the vast majority of the displaced have returned to their homes.

Al Hurra Newspaper says that 23% of displaced people have not returned home yet. Many were relocated from schools to other facilities like the Camille Chamoun sport complex, where hundreds took refuge until further notice. Many of those are from bordering villages like Meis El Jabal which are still occupied by the Israelis who are preventing residents to return.

Some declared that today marked the IDF’s 100th violation of the ceasefire. Meanwhile, Hezbollah launched a “warning attack” for the first time since November 27. These developments jeopardize displaced return. 

December 3

Reuters reports that Lebanese displaced to Iraq have started to return to Lebanon as more than 20,000 Lebanese sought refuge in Iraq since the outbreak of the war. Iraqi local officials said that at least 1,000 Lebanese had been leaving daily towards Syria for the past 3 days. On the other hand, Annahar reports that 4,000 Lebanese displaced to Iraq have returned to Lebanon according to the ministry of immigration and displacement. However, the escalating tensions in Syria in the last few days have led many to avoid the land route, fearing for their safety.

UNHCR reports that over 28,000 people had crossed from Syria into Lebanon since November 27, 2024. The number is still significantly marginal compared to the 560,000 displaced who crossed from Lebanon to Syria between September and the end of November – when the ceasefire deal was reached.

L’Orient-Le Jour, quoting the Lebanese authorities, reports that almost 90% of displaced persons left collective shelters, while around 22,000 people remain in around 400 sites.

December 4

The Star Media group reports that according to an anonymous source from the Lebanese General Security at the Masnaa border crossing, “over 6,000 people returned on the first day of the ceasefire, and the number exceeded 9,000 on the second day.”

U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon states that an estimated 600,000 internally displaced persons are starting to return home, with 2/3 heading to the South and Nabatieh Governorates.

Nida Al-Watan states that Syrian refugees will face legal dilemmas regarding their identity card and official documents which will create further legal dilemmas in Lebanon.

December 5

IOM Mobility Tracking data indicates that 786,443 IDPs have begun to return to their communities and that, as of 4 December, 2024, there is 201,820  registered IDPs left, showing a decrease of 78% since 24 November, 2024.

Megaphone News reports how residents of the South have returned to their olive trees.

December 6

Al Jadeed reports that the Department of Political Affairs of the opposition groups in Syria issued a message thanking the Lebanese for hosting the Syrian refugees throughout the Syrian conflict, emphasizing that the crisis is about to end soon, after what refugees can start going back to their home country.

NNA reports that the Lebanese General Security has closed all the land border crossings in the north until further notice, while keeping the Masnaa crossing open for both entry and exit.

December 7

Nida Al-Watan reports that the advancement of Syrian opposition forces to Homs has raised concerns over a new potential exodus of Syrian refugees towards Lebanon.

December 8

After over 50 years of Baathist rule and 14 years of unrests and war, the Assad regime of neighboring Syria had fallen. This game changing event will have pivotal repercussions on the Syrian refugee crisis that Lebanon has been struggling with since more than a decade.

Annahar reports that Syrians refugees are preparing to return to Syria after the fall of the Assad regime. This translates into a euphoric momentum rather than a rational decision-making process for now.

MTV reports that hundreds of Syrians gathered at Al-Masnaa crossing border to return to Syria, and that the Lebanese General Security is facilitating paperwork to ease their return.

MTV reports that the Lebanese Armed Forces opened the illegal crossings of Al-Zamrani (in Arsal) and Mutriba (in Hermel) to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees to their country. Similarly, the Lebanese General Security ensured and facilitated their passage through the Masnaa border crossing.

The Governor of Baalbek-Hermel, Bachir Khodr, states, via X platform, that thousands of Syrians and Lebanese from the Syrian side fled to the district of Hermel. This is a potential new wave of displacement.

MTV shares a video of a Syrian refugee who is thanking the Lebanese people for hosting Syrians in their country.

Al Jadeed shares a video showing dozens of Syrian refugees crossing into Syria through an illegal crossing point, paying smugglers $10 for passage.

NNA reports that the national campaign for the return of displaced Syrians assured that the fall of the Assad regime will help Syrians to return, reiterating their support for the voluntary return of Syrians to their homeland.

December 9

NNA reports that the Lebanese General Security announced that it is allowing Syrians to enter Lebanon for a week or even a month as an exceptional measure according to the humanitarian situation of each person.

Asharq Al-Awsat reports that the Masnaa crossing at the Lebanese-Syrian border is witnessing an influx of Syrian refugees to Lebanon for the second consecutive day which has led to chaos and the illegal entry of dozens. Meanwhile the Lebanese security forces have taken measures against some of them and thus managed to return them back into Syria.

Lebanon 24 reports from Lebanese security sources that over 5,000 Syrian refugees have crossed both legal and illegal border crossings into Syria. Meanwhile, Al-Akhbar reports that around 35,000 Syrian families – most probably pro-regime persons and their families – have entered Lebanon in the north of Bekaa.

Ajplusarabia shares a video of Allen, a Syrian child, who is returning to her country with her family just hours after the fall of the Assad regime.

Al Jadeed reports that the Khiam Municipality issued a statement urging residents to abide by its instructions and to refrain from approaching the area until the Israeli army has completely withdrawn.

December 10

LBCI reports that MP Gebran Bassil stated that “the reason for the Syrian displacement to Lebanon has completely disappeared, and there is no need, justification, or rationale for any Syrian refugee to remain on Lebanese soil. Therefore, their swift return to their country is necessary.”

LBCI reports that the Lebanese caretaker Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Bassam Mawlawi, revealed that no security officials from the former Syrian regime, who are wanted by the Lebanese judiciary, are currently in Lebanon. While some families fled from Syria towards Lebanon, they are nevertheless not subject to any legal restrictions or judicial rulings. Moreover, NNA reports that Mawlawi stated that 8,400 Syrians have entered Lebanon in the previous period as those have legal residencies and fulfill the conditions for entering the country.

LBCI reports that the number of Syrian refugees and displaced Lebanese who have entered Lebanon from Al-Qusayr and other towns reached the 50,000 on Sunday night.

CNRS publishes a report about the Israeli offensive on Lebanon, highlighting the attacks and damages caused across key sectors. It claims that 25% of Lebanese territories’ residents (primarily from Southern Lebanon, Bekaa and the southern suburb of Beirut) were subjected to IDF evacuation orders, sometimes even with little to no time to prepare and flee. The report highlights also how the Lebanese government opened around 1,177 centers for the IDPs, but only 190,102 out of the over 1 million displaced were registered in these shelters. It also states that 976 of the 1,177 shelters have reached their maximum capacity during the war.

December 11

UNICEF preliminary reports indicate that tens of thousands of Syrians have entered Lebanon.

December 12

Al Modon reports that Masnaa border crossing is facing high tensions due to the new wave of Syrian refugees which has forced the Lebanese General Security to reinforce its forces with additional members.

Elnashra reports that Syrian refugees are working to settle their situation at Masnaa border crossing following the fall of the Assad regime.

Walk Free reports that the displacement of migrant workers in Lebanon increases their risk of being victims of modern slavery.

MTV Lebanon reports that the Governor of Bekaa assured that aid to the displaced Lebanese is continuing amidst calls for the repatriation of Syrian refugees to their country.

December 13

MTV Lebanon reports that a committee of officers from the Public Security sector went to Masnaa to address the situation of those stranded at the border crossing. These individuals were divided into 3 main categories: the first included those who met the required conditions and were allowed to enter the country, the second consisted of the elderly, the children, the pregnant women, and some patients – each case being studied separately and entry granted for humanitarian reasons –, while the third included those who did not meet the conditions and were thus returned to Syria.

Al-Akhbar reports from official sources that the number of displaced Syrians who have entered Lebanon legally was around 7,000 while other sources estimated that the number was around 90,000 as it included those who have entered illegally.

December 14

Annahar reports that the return of Syrian refugees to their country is modest and that the number does not surpass the 12,000.

December 15

The Lebanese Ministry of Social Affairs reports that the caretaker Social Affairs Minister called for a rapid response to the new migration crisis involving Syrians and Lebanese fleeing from Syria.

December 16

Al-Akhbar reports that over 30,000 Lebanese who have fled from Syria are now residing in Hermel, as the Lebanese government is neglecting their situation.

December 17

WFP reports that many Syrian refugees returned to Syria, while around 30,000 Syrians, most of whom are from religious minorities – Alawites among others –, sought refuge in Lebanon (mainly in the Baalbek-Hermel governorate). In turn, this has increased humanitarian needs and further strained resources in these areas that were already affected by the protracted presence of Syrian refugees, and the devastating effects of the Israeli aggression.

Annahar relays the declaration of the new authorities in Syria which declared trying to control bordering regions along Hermel. Many of the local Lebanese residents are believed to have fled to Lebanon, as many are Hezbollah-affiliated. 

The Beirut Urban Lab launches its project called Echoes of War, analyzing displacement patterns in Hamra along other cultural, social and economic variables. 

December 18

Al Modon reports that a few Israeli settlers have crossed the border to Lebanon, setting up tents around the town of Maroun al-Ras, which sparked severe condemnation among the Lebanese.

Asharq Al-Awsat reports from UNHCR officials that 300,000 Syrian refugees in Lebanon have returned to their country after the Syrian authorities issued a general amnesty.

LBCI reports that the mayor of Ain Zebdeh Municipality stated that Syrian refugees who returned illegally to their country after the fall of the Assad regime have now returned to Lebanon.

Annahar reports that after the ceasefire in Lebanon, many Lebanese refugees to Iraq face significant challenges in returning home, as land routes through Syria are closed and air travel options are limited due to the political instability following the fall of the Assad regime. With Iraqi Airways suspending flights to Lebanon and Middle East Airlines flights being fully booked, displaced people have been left stranded, unable to afford expensive tickets or find alternative routes. The Lebanese government is working to facilitate their return, but concerns remain about the security situation in Iraq and the feasibility of returning home.

RT reports that the Lebanese caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Abdallah Bou Habib, pointed out after meeting with the Director General of IOM, Amy Pope, that “there is a real opportunity to start the process of returning displaced Syrians through model programs and with international funding.”

December 19

Oxfam International and ActionAid report that Israel’s forced evacuation and displacement orders in Lebanon during the war may constitute grave breaches of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The orders were criticized as being inadequate, unsafe, and likely illegal, as they led to mass displacement of 1.4 million people, with little warning and no guarantees for civilian welfare. These actions, which disrupted vulnerable communities and left them in life-threatening conditions, represent a clear violation of IHL and call for urgent international intervention to protect civilians and ensure a permanent ceasefire.

Beirut Today reports that UNOCHA claimed that 178,817 individuals remain displaced in Lebanon, with many having returned to their homes or faced significant challenges in terms of reconstruction. The U.N. report also highlights the difficulty in tracking cross-border movements, with over 562,000 people having fled into neighboring Syria and 41,000 into Iraq, while the return of Syrian refugees remains unclear due to ongoing instability in Syria, especially after the fall of the Assad regime. Hence, they face challenges in securing housing, employment, and safety amid political and social instability.

December 20

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) reports that its Senior Vice President for Crisis, Response, Recovery and Development, Ciarán Donnelly, visited Lebanon to assess the humanitarian impact of the conflict, highlighting that 175,000 people remain displaced and many face a devastating reality (be it the destruction of their homes, vital infrastructure, etc.). He also emphasized on the need for international support to help Lebanon to recover, most seemingly by restoring dignity and hope to the affected families who remain reliant on humanitarian aid. Meanwhile, Syrian refugees in Lebanon are similarly grappling with uncertainty, as following with the fall of the Assad regime, many are hoping to return to Syria but face serious challenges in doing so.

WHO reports that Lebanon’s healthcare system, already strained by both the economic and refugee crises, faces an urgent need for trauma surgery treatment following the recent conflict. Thousands of civilians require reconstructive surgeries and long-term medical care, with many hospitals operating below capacity due to financial constraints, staff shortages, and infrastructure damage. WHO is thus scaling up trauma care and rehabilitation efforts, despite the uncertain road towards the country’s recovery.

The Asfari Institute for Civil Society & Citizenship publishes an op-ed by Aliaa Awada, Managing Director of “No2ta – The Feminist Lab,” discussing the organization’s shift from advocacy to direct intervention in response to the ongoing crisis in Lebanon, particularly the impact on women and girls. Amid the largest displacement in Lebanon’s history, No2ta distributed menstrual hygiene kits, addressing the often-overlooked needs of women in emergencies, while also focusing on both amplifying their voices as well as ensuring their safety and rights in overcrowded and unsafe displacement shelters.

Elnashra reports that the Lebanese caretaker Minister of Social Affairs, Hector Hajjar, stated that there are approximately 1.2 million Syrian refugees remaining in Lebanon following the fall of the Assad regime, and that new displacement waves are considered temporary. He emphasized on Lebanon’s commitment to encouraging the voluntary return of displaced Syrians, which would increase once reconstruction efforts begin, and that no new camps or registrations for displaced Syrians will be allowed. Hajjar thus urged international institutions to focus on supporting refugees within Syria, while simultaneously highlighting the need for UNHCR to prioritize support for displaced Lebanese citizens.

December 21

L’Orient Today reports that migrant workers that were displaced in Lebanon during the armed conflict have managed to find a way to start their lives again. The article labels this new beginning as a “new independence” to underline this phase’s importance in the lives of these workers who have fled their abusive employers and survived the devastating effects of the war.

Al-Araby reports that since the fall of the Assad regime, Lebanon has witnessed a continued influx of refugees into the country; estimated to be over 98,000 people, including 55,000 Lebanese with Syrian citizenship. The newly displaced individuals have sought refuge in overcrowded, poorly equipped shelters, and their basic needs – such as food, heating, sanitation, and personal hygiene – are not being adequately addressed due to the lack of governmental and international support. Local municipalities and organizations, including Hezbollah, are providing limited aid, but there is a growing concern that these regions, already struggling from the recent war with Israel, cannot sustain the increasing refugee population without external assistance.

TopSkyNews reposts an analysis on the potential negative externalities of Syrian refugee return on the Lebanese economy. 

December 22

Anadolu Ajansı reports that the Israel Defense Forces blew up several homes in southern Lebanon, specifically in the town of Hanin in Bint Jbeil district, in violation of the ceasefire agreement. Under the latter’s provisions, Israel is required to withdraw its forces south of the Blue Line within 60 days, however, this is far from being implemented on the ground. Lebanese authorities have reported over 286 ceasefire violations since November 27, including at least 30 deaths and 37 injuries. The demolition campaign in Bint Jbeil and other towns has exacerbated the region’s ongoing suffering amid the ceasefire.

December 23

Manateq reports, via Instagram, a testimony given by an owner of a destroyed factory in Lebanon. He claims that demand for prefabricated houses in the South has increased by 200%, since reconstruction will take time, and the alleged $14,000 allocated to IDP households will not be sufficient. He also stressed not being a “war merchant”, as he decreased the prices from $300 to $250 per square meter.

Annahar reports that with the fall of the Assad regime and the emergence of HTS as the current authority on the ground, Christians’ future remains uncertain. While some assure that they are living in peace and safety, others remained skeptical concerning their fate. Nevertheless, Monseigneur Freifer, the Episcopal Vicar General and Director of the Maronite Court in Damascus, claims that Christians’ situation has not changed so far, confirming that no Christian has been displaced from the area.

The IDF reiterates its warning towards displaced residents of numerous bordering villages and towns, asking them not to return until further notice.

December 24

UNRWA publishes Syria, Lebanon and Jordan Emergency Appeal 2025, as it declared that Palestine refugees in Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan will face severe challenges due to escalating conflicts, deepening economic crises, and continued displacement, necessitating a coordinated regional humanitarian response. The Syrian conflict remains one of the deadliest of the 21st century, with a significant portion of Palestine refugees displaced within and outside Syria. Similarly, both Lebanon and Jordan also struggle with heightened tensions and socio-economic pressures, thus exacerbating vulnerabilities. In response, UNRWA vows to provide essential services such as cash assistance, shelter support, legal aid, psychosocial support, and infrastructure maintenance, aiming to address the immediate needs of over 600,000 refugees while promoting long-term solutions through a unified approach across the region.

L’Orient Today reports that the head of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), MP Gebran Bassil, announced that his bloc is “studying a law that will call for the immediate return of displaced Syrians and will prohibit the entry of new displaced people into Lebanon”. He claims that the reasons and causes of displacement have ceased to exist following the fall of the Assad regime.

Manateq reports that a new displacement crisis – from the opposite direction – has been unfolding in Baalbek since the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, as about 30,000 displaced people have sought refuge in the city of Baalbek alone. The displaced are reportedly coming from areas in Damascus, such as the neighborhoods of Imam Zain al-Abidin, Al-Amin, Sayyida al-Zahraa and the vicinity of Sayyida Zainab, in addition to Jdeidet Yabous along the Lebanese-Syrian border. With the absence of essential aid and support, the displaced are facing serious humanitarian challenges.

AP reports the bittersweet Christmas faced by Lebanese displaced families after the ceasefire agreement was reached on November 27. It highlights some key testimonies from several families, where one of them claimed that they decided not to decorate its place or even celebrate the holiday.

December 25

Anadolu Ajansı reports that since the fall of the Assad regime, Lebanon has witnessed the arrival of some 85,000 people from Syria, including 20,000 Lebanese who returned from Syrian towns near the Lebanese border. Meanwhile, the Lebanese government has no plans to establish new refugee camps along the border, viewing the displacement as temporary. The government is working on facilitating the return of both Syrians and Lebanese displaced during the conflict, as previously outlined by the Lebanese caretaker Minister of Social Affairs, Hector Hajjar. The latter emphasized that Lebanon seeks a dignified and permanent return for Syrians, with humanitarian aid supporting their reintegration in Syria. While acknowledging that the number of Syrian refugees in the country is difficult to be determined due to continuous movement – both in and out of Lebanon – he noted that the number has decreased, partly confirmed by the drop of Syrian children in school enrollments which stopped at around 30,000.

December 26

UNHCR publishes the Lebanon Emergency Flash Update in which it reported that since the cessation of hostilities on November 27, nearly 829,000 displaced Lebanese have returned to their areas of origin, though Syrians face significant barriers due to accommodation costs and administrative restrictions. Meanwhile, violations of the ceasefire agreement persist, particularly in the south, creating obstacles for the safe return of 165,428 internally displaced people. Similarly, Syria’s volatile security situation has caused Syrian refugees in Lebanon to remain hesitant regarding their return. Additionally, an influx of around 90,000 people, including both Lebanese and Syrians, has been reported into Lebanon’s Hermel area since the fall of the Assad regime on December 8. As a result to all of what has been outlined, UNHCR’s key response includes, among others, providing 273,000 people with multipurpose cash assistance (MPCA), 258,000 people with core relief items (91% of them being Lebanese), and 242 war-wounded refugees with support for treatment by the agency in contracted hospitals.

LBCI reports that 11,000 of the 40,000 Lebanese who fled to Iraq during the war, remain blocked there, with no clear timeline or mechanism concerning their return. Although the Iraqi government pledged to repatriate them for free through Iraqi Airlines once the conflict ended, the situation in Syria transformed both land routes and airspace unsafe for travel. Nevertheless, NNA reports that 3 Lebanese MPs met with the Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, stressing on the current condition of the displaced and their return, while also proposing adequate solutions.

Lebanon 24 reports that following the ceasefire announced on November 27, over 902,700 displaced Lebanese returned to their homes by December 12, but faced significant challenges, including security risks such as unexploded devices, disrupted public services and Israeli restrictions imposed on several southern towns in the country. Healthcare and infrastructure are particularly affected, with 19 primary healthcare centers and 3 hospitals still not being operational, in addition to nearly 99,000 housing units being destroyed or severely damaged. As of mid-December, over 178,800 people remain displaced, living in overcrowded or substandard conditions, while the country also experienced shifts in population movement due regional political changes.

Lebanon 24 reports that Lebanese officials are pushing for the return of displaced Syrians, with civil society proposing quick solutions to facilitate the process. Captain Maroun al-Khawli emphasized that excuses for not returning to Syria are no longer justified with the fall of the Assad regime, urging the Lebanese government to create a two-month plan to coordinate the return which, as he claimed, has become mandatory (like what is taking place in several European countries). Al-Khawli also called for the legalization of Syrian labor in Lebanon, the closure of illegal border crossings, and a greater role for the Syrian embassy in facilitating the return, asserting that the political conditions are now in place for this process to begin.

December 27

Arab News reports that 3 students from the American University of Beirut (AUB) launched a donation campaign, titled “Hope for our Lebanon,” to support displaced families during the war. This initiative, in collaboration with Wahad Activism charity organization, aims to distribute food supplies, sanitary boxes, and clothes for the displaced families in order to try to alleviate their sufferings.

Annahar reports that the Lebanese caretaker Minister of Environment, Nasser Yassin, launched the first phase of aid for Lebanese displaced from Syria to the Hermel and Baalbek regions, offering food supplies and hygiene assistance in collaboration with international organizations, such as UNICEF. Yassin emphasized on the importance of alleviating the suffering of displaced people and coordinating with local administrations as well as the Syrian government for further support. In his turn, MP Ihab Hamadeh stressed on the need for the displaced Lebanese to return to their homes and villages. He highlighted also the strain on Hermel’s resources, where the displaced are now outnumbering the local population, with a ratio of 70,000 to 30,000.

Asharq Al-Awsat reports that the number of displaced Syrians who are voluntarily returning to Syria from Lebanon has decreased, with less than 500 people registered in the first batch of returns, despite official assurances about the process’ sustained continuation. While the General Security has organized return trips for Syrians, some refugees refused to return due to personal commitments, such as their children’s schooling for instance. In addition, several humanitarian organizations raised concerns about low safety and inappropriate conditions that these refugees may face upon return. Despite these concerns, Lebanese authorities reiterated that no one is being forced to return and emphasized that voluntary return will persist in the upcoming days.

December 28

Al-Akhbar reports that although almost 829,000 displaced people have managed to return to their homes and villages, some 166,000 remain in displacement, the main cause being the partial or total destruction of their residences. While the vast majority of the IDPs sought refuge in rental units or were hosted by friends and relatives, around 4,000 were forced to return back to shelter centers. Continuous Israeli ceasefire violations and unclear withdrawal schedule from the south imply an uncertain fate for IDPs with persisting sufferings and challenges in the future.

December 29

Megaphone News reports, via Instagram, that the Lebanese Armed Forces has handed over 70 Syrian men to the new Syrian authorities through the Arida border crossing, most probably officers from the ousted Assad regime. The LAF had previously captured the officers in Jbeil after entering the country illegally. It marked the first instance of security coordination between the Lebanese and new Syrian authorities as well as raised questions for future similar cooperation, including those concerning civilian Syrian refugees.

Elnashra reports that both Lebanese and Arab public opinions sympathized with the 70 Syrian men who were handed over to Syria. The Lebanese authorities’ handover to a non-state group – namely HTS – has raised serious questions concerning the country’s compliance with international laws, asylum, as well as its moral responsibility regarding the matter. Meanwhile, the presence of around 2 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon, who are loyal to the new “Islamist” regime remains contentious – according to the article –, as their presence is seen as unjustified following the fall of the Assad regime.

MP and former DG of the General Security Jamil El Sayyed issues a statement, via X platform, criticizing the Lebanese authorities’ handing over the 70 Syrian officers to the new Syrian authority. He claims that the law should determine the eligibility and manner of extraditing criminals to their countries, thus urging local as well as international stakeholders to act against the differentiation between the old and the new displaced Syrians.

Megaphone News reports, via Instagram, that so far, no actor has pledged their will to take part in the post-war reconstruction, unlike after the 2006 war. The local, regional and international contexts are very different between 2006 and 2024. This is undoubtably affecting IDP resilience and decreasing hope for accelerated return and reconstruction.

NNA reports that the General Coordinator of the National Campaign for the Return of Syrian Refugees, Captain Maroun Al-Khawli, accompanied by the Sheikh of the Hamadiyya-Khalidiyya clans, Sheikh Saad Fawzi Hamada, and the Head of the Mufti Hassan Khaled Foundation, Sheikh Saadeddin Hassan Khaled, toured a number of Lebanese families displaced to Baalbek-Hermel from Syria, to express solidarity and address their humanitarian needs. They stressed on the urgent need for the safe return of over 30,000 Lebanese citizens to their homes in Syria, in coordination with the new Syrian authorities. They urged the international community to support this effort, highlighting Lebanon’s contribution in hosting Syrian refugees for more than 13 years as well as stressing on the importance of cooperation between the two neighboring countries for their mutual stability.

December 30

Annahar reports that the settlement agreement that was reached in the region of Sayyida Zainab prevented a bloodbath, with various factions, including regime forces, Hezbollah, and Iranian militias, laying down their weapons and withdrawing. Although some tried to exploit the situation to commit various violations – that were quickly contained – leading to a displacement movement from the area, Sheikh Al-Sakawi emphasized that displaced individuals should return, reassuring that the new regime would be open for that. Jamal Awad, the mukhtar of the area, noted that around 2,000 people have sought refuge in neighboring Lebanon. Despite Awad’s efforts with the new Syrian authority to guarantee their safe return, concerns about potential chaos and sectarian strife remain.

The National reports that Lebanon faces serious challenges regarding post-war reconstruction. Deputy Prime Minister Saadeh Al Shami estimated the cost for reconstruction at around $10 billion. More than 100,000 homes are reported to have been fully or partially destroyed, in addition to 600 damaged residential buildings that need to be demolished, as recommended by the National Council for Scientific Research. Thus, the return of many of the displaced remains uncertain, especially as funding sources and donors remain unclear.

Former President, General Michel Aoun, claims, via an interview on OTV, that the “Syrian refugees in Lebanon are not political refugees, but security refugees.” He thus urges the Lebanese government to contact the new Syrian authority in order to ensure their return.

December 31

UNIFIL reports that its Italian contingent of Tyre had donated an ambulance equipped with the latest technology to the Tyre Union of Municipalities. The Italian commander claims that the donation “will alleviate the suffering of the displaced, increase the resources available to health teams to support regular services, and treat the growing number of people in need of medical assistance.”

Lebanon Debate reports that the Lebanese caretaker Minister of Displaced Persons, Issam Sharafeddine, announced that a potential governmental visit to Syria will be discussed, which comes within the framework of ongoing efforts to address the issue of the Syrian refugee crisis. He claimed that the political changes in Syria will have a major impact on the issue of displaced Syrians in Lebanon, which will also affect the relationship between the two countries in the future. With for example less than 5,000 Syrian refugees leaving the area of Arsal, Sharafeddine highlighted that the presence of the remaining majority cannot be justified by the West any longer after the fall of the Assad regime. Despite his declaration, Al Manar notes that Sharafeddine is far from the reality, as there is low probability for the Syrian refugees in Lebanon to return home.

NNA reports that MP Michel Moussa called for security matters to remain under official control and urged adherence to ethical and legal standards in handling displaced persons, after the targeting of non-official actors infiltrating displaced civilians from Syria to Lebanon based on mere suspicion.