13 stories for 2026-03-07 · Lebanon
Clashes erupted in eastern Lebanon's Bekaa Valley after Israeli forces attempted a helicopter-launched landing operation near the Syrian-Lebanese border. Hezbollah said its fighters engaged Israeli troops near the town of Nabi Chit after four Israeli military helicopters entered the area. The Israeli military conducted airstrikes to cover the withdrawal of their forces.
Israel has conducted extensive airstrikes on Beirut and other areas of Lebanon, destroying dozens of buildings and causing casualties. Israeli troops and tanks are massing near the border, with reports indicating preparations for a potential full-scale ground invasion targeting Hezbollah positions.
Israel has issued broad evacuation orders affecting more than 100 villages and towns in southern and eastern Lebanon, as well as Beirut's southern suburbs, displacing hundreds of thousands of people. Residents are fleeing their homes due to Israeli military operations against Hezbollah, with evacuees sleeping in tents and cars. UN human rights officials have expressed concerns that the overly broad evacuation orders are causing panic and humanitarian suffering.
Journalist Charbel Aboujaoude reports on the situation of displaced persons in public spaces and documents Lebanese fears of job loss due to ongoing conflict.
Lebanon's Health Ministry reported that Israeli airstrikes over five days have killed at least 217 people and displaced approximately 300,000 residents, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council. Israel stated that eight of its soldiers were wounded in cross-border fire. The strikes targeted southern Lebanon, eastern areas, and south Beirut following evacuation warnings.
Some Syrian refugees who reached new border crossings on the Syrian side of the Lebanon-Syria border have decided to return to Syria, hoping to find peace and security after years in exile. They cite difficult experiences during recent days as motivation for their return, though they face ongoing social and legal challenges in Lebanon.
Displacement resulting from armed conflict has forced Lebanese herders to flee, undertaking a five-day journey with their livestock to escape shelling.
Three United Nations peacekeeping soldiers were injured during violent gunfire targeting a UNIFIL base in southwestern Lebanon on Friday evening. The most seriously wounded soldier was transferred to a hospital in Beirut for treatment.
Following renewed fighting in Lebanon, Israeli strikes have targeted southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and other regions. The conflict has prompted divisive social media discourse in some Syrian communities, particularly in areas that previously fought against Hezbollah during its intervention in Syria. The humanitarian dimensions of the conflict are being overshadowed by inflammatory rhetoric in certain online spaces.
In the second week of conflict, Beirut residents are comparing the current situation to previous wars. Heavy shelling has been reported on the southern side of the city, with displaced persons occupying public spaces and streets.
Following escalation of Israeli airstrikes and displacement of tens of thousands of Lebanese civilians from their homes, Syrian refugees have begun returning to Syria. The reverse migration reflects conditions prompting displacement across the region.
Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned of a humanitarian catastrophe following thousands of people evacuating their homes after receiving Israeli evacuation warnings. The warnings preceded airstrikes in the affected areas.
Multiple Israeli airstrikes targeted locations in Lebanon, including the Sahiyeh area, villages in Baalbek, the south, and Sidon, resulting in reported casualties. The strikes represent ongoing military operations in Lebanese territory.