Lebanon: Flash Update #41 - Escalation of hostilities in Lebanon (as of 6 July 2026)

Country: Lebanon Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Please refer to the attached file. HIGHLIGHTS At least 4,319 deaths and 12,203 injuries due to hostilities recorded by the Ministry of Public Health since 2 March. 646,107 people have returned to their areas of origin, while around 500,000 people remain displaced, including 37,000 Internally Displaced Persons (over 53 per cent women and girls) in 430 collective shelters as of 6 July. Basic services in hard-to-reach areas are under enormous strain or are non-functional. Nationwide, 3 hospitals and 35 PHCCs are non-operational, with access to lifesaving services particularly challenging in conflict-affected areas. SITUATION OVERVIEW Ongoing military activity, despite an overall decline in the intensity and reach of hostilities, continues to pose risks to civilians, hinder safe return, and prolong humanitarian needs among people in Lebanon. Israeli military airstrikes, demolitions, and localized military operations in South and Nabatieh governorates persisted throughout the reporting period. Though the security environment has notably improved since the most recent ceasefire announcement, continued military activity in the south perpetuates further protection risks, prolongs displacement for those seeking to return, and further drives humanitarian needs throughout the country. Population movements continue to shift rapidly. Between 2 and 6 July**, the number of people residing in collective shelters declined by over 10,000 (21.5 per cent), from 47,143 people in 430 shelters to 37,000 people in 354 shelters**.As of 2 July, the DTM recorded 646,107 returnees , an increase of 123,000 people returning (23 per cent) since 25 June, with most returns occurring in South and Nabatieh governorates. Despite rising return numbers, return movements remain fluid, cautious, and often reversible as families evaluate the extent of damage, safety conditions, and access to essential services. Continued support for basic services, shelter, unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance, and early recovery remain essential to sustain safe and dignified returns. Displacement levels have declined over the last two weeks but remain significant , with 499,784 people still displaced. While returns continue, many households remain unable to return safely due to inaccessibility, insecurity, widespread housing damage, and strained or destroyed essential services in areas of origin, resulting in sustained or repeated displacement and increased strain on host communities. Alongside dignified shelter, food security and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) needs, displaced populations are facing declining economic capacity to maintain current housing arrangements, lack or loss of civil documentation hindering service access, and growing MHPSS needs, heightening protection concerns as displacement becomes increasingly prolonged. Collective shelter populations have continued to decrease ; however, displacement remains concentrated in a few governorates. Beirut continues to host the largest share of displaced in collective shelters, with 14,700 people across 73 shelters, despite a reduction of 3,835 people in collective shelters over the reporting period. South and Nabatieh governorates together host approximately 9,730 people in 70 shelters and remain key areas of displacement. At the same time, new, longer-term collective shelters are being established, particularly in the South and Nabatieh governorates, reflecting the needs of households currently unable to return, or experiencing secondary displacement. Basic services in hard-to-reach areas are non-functional or under critical strain . According to WHO, three hospitals in the Israeli-declared military area remain non-operational: Bint Jbeil Public Hospital and Salah Ghandour Hospital in Bint Jbeil district (Nabatieh) and Salah Ghandour Hospital in Marjaayoun (Nabatieh). Those seeking services in operational hospitals in these areas face critical access constraints as hospitals continue to encounter challenges in fully reinstating lifesaving services, such as maternity care. Furthermore, the Ministry of Public Health reports that 35 Primary Health Care Facilities (PHCCs) are closed countrywide, 11 within the Israeli-declared military area, creating further barriers to accessing health services and heightening strain on remaining PHCCs. Continued displacement dynamics, fluid shelter populations, access restrictions, and attacks on healthcare are complicating the continuity of services, especially in hard-to-reach areas. The Ministry of Public Health reported 4,319 people killed (including 392 Women and 253 children) and 12,203 injured (1,450 women and 1,036 children) as of 6 July. 135 health care professionals have been killed on duty and 406 reported as injured since 2 March. Funding constraints remain a major challenge to sustaining humanitarian assistance . As of 6 July, the 2026 Lebanon Flash Appeal has received $269 million, or 42.2 per cent of the $639.9 million requested.
2026-07-09 08:15:19