Israel-Hezbollah conflict: death toll and displacement in Lebanon

Flames rise after an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, September 28, 2024 | Photo source: AP

Last week, Israel struck Lebanon with rockets and missiles in what it called a pre-emptive strike against an expected attack by Hezbollah. The attacks came after Hezbollah fired more than 100 rockets into Israel, reaching as deep into the country as its capital Tel Aviv.

Israeli attacks on Monday (September 23) were the deadliest in recent years. The single-day death toll of more than 500 is significantly higher than the monthly death tolls reported since 2018 in Lebanon. Data were downloaded from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Database (ACLED).

Israeli forces and Hezbollah have exchanged fire on the borders since the Hamas attack on October 7 last year. However, the recent escalation began after Israel detonated several pagers used by Hezbollah to disrupt communications and target members of the militant group.

This caused a new wave of displacements in the southern districts of Lebanon, closest to the border with Israel. On September 24–25, several thousand people were displaced from neighborhoods along the border to Beirut and the surrounding area.

United Nations authorities in Lebanon said more than 90,000 people have been displaced since Israeli attacks on September 23. This represents a significant increase in the total number of internally displaced persons since October 7 last year.

Israel-Hezbollah conflict: everything you need to know about escalating cross-border tensions

Five of the 12 UN refugee camps for Palestinians are in the south, near the border, with the nearest one about 16 km away, or a 30-minute drive. As of March last year, the number registered with the UN was over 4,80,000.

In northern Israel, too, the war with Hezbollah has forced some 70,000 people from their homes since Hamas attacked in 2023. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that one of his goals is to bring these people back to their homes, in addition to destroying Hamas once and for all. However, a ceasefire remains out of reach. At the end of Israel’s two-week campaign against Lebanon and the death of one of Hezbollah’s most senior leaders, Hassan Nasrallah, Lebanon’s future in the war became unclear.