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In the past week, Lebanon has been plunged into one of the deadliest periods of violence in its recent history. On Monday, 23rd September 2024, Israel launched an extensive military offensive under the guise of targeting Hezbollah forces. Since then, the situation has spiralled into a full-scale humanitarian crisis, with the death toll tragically surpassing 550 individuals, including 50 children and 94 women. This sudden escalation has not only claimed hundreds of lives but has left tens of thousands of civilians displaced, overwhelmed medical services, and led to widespread suffering.
At the heart of this crisis are the innocent civilians—families, children, and the elderly—who are bearing the brunt of the violence.
A Week of Devastation: Israel’s Offensive and Its Human Cost
The latest offensive began on 23rd September when Israel intensified its military campaign against Hezbollah, marking the deadliest assault Lebanon has witnessed since the 2006 war. Israeli forces launched a series of airstrikes allegedly targeting more than 1,600 Hezbollah sites across southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and areas near the Syrian border. In the days that followed, these attacks escalated, with further strikes disrupting communication systems, particularly Hezbollah’s use of pagers and radios.
According to the Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad, at least 558 people have been killed, including a significant proportion of women and children, with more than 1,600 injured. These figures are not just numbers—they represent shattered families, communities torn apart, and a country in mourning. Many of the victims were civilians in their homes, unaware that their lives would be abruptly cut short by the indiscriminate strikes.
The UN has reported that the violence has caused mass displacement across the country, with tens of thousands of families forced to flee their homes in search of safety. Communities that once thrived are now ghost towns, as residents attempt to escape the escalating violence. The humanitarian crisis is growing by the hour, with families facing the impossible challenge of survival amid airstrikes, food shortages, and the constant threat of further attacks.
The Lead-up to the Offensive: The Role of Hezbollah and Israel’s Response
This recent wave of violence can be traced back to 18th September when Israel conducted a series of targeted strikes against Hezbollah’s communication infrastructure. Mossad, in collaboration with Israeli military forces, led operations to dismantle Hezbollah’s communication systems, including the destruction of key pagers. These strikes were a strategic precursor to the wider military campaign that began five days later.
On 24th September, Hezbollah responded by launching over 50 rockets into northern Israel, targeting military installations, including the Ramat airbase, Megiddo airfield, and Amos base. Hezbollah also claimed responsibility for striking an explosives facility 60 kilometers inside Israeli territory. The situation further escalated on 25th September when Hezbollah fired a ballistic missile at Mossad headquarters near Tel Aviv.
The Humanitarian Crisis: Displacement, Destruction, and Despair
With the violence intensifying, the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon is reaching critical levels. Displacement is a growing concern, with tens of thousands of Lebanese families forced to abandon their homes under threat of airstrikes. The UN has warned that the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) is rising rapidly, placing immense pressure on an already strained infrastructure.
Internally displaced families are in desperate need of shelter, food, and medical care.
The situation is particularly dire for the elderly, the sick, and children, who are facing not only physical danger but the psychological trauma of war.
Lebanese healthcare services are buckling under the strain of caring for thousands of injured civilians. Hospitals, already struggling with limited resources, are now overwhelmed by the sheer number of casualties. Emergency medicines are in short supply, and medical staff are working around the clock to treat those injured in the strikes. The need for international assistance is urgent, as Lebanon’s medical facilities face the risk of collapse.
Responding to the Crisis: How You Can Help
As the violence in Lebanon continues, international aid organisations are stepping in to provide critical support. The Lady Fatemah Trust (LFT) is leading efforts to deliver monthly food parcels to displaced families, ensuring that they have access to basic sustenance amid the chaos. Additionally, LFT is providing emergency medical supplies to treat acutely ill patients and distributing essential household items to help families displaced by the conflict.
The situation is dire, and the need for aid is growing every day. However, more can be done. The international community must rally to provide humanitarian assistance to Lebanon, ensuring that displaced families receive the support they need to survive this crisis. Emergency relief efforts must focus on delivering food, water, shelter, and medical care to those affected by the violence. Moreover, there is an urgent need for diplomatic efforts to bring about a ceasefire and prevent further loss of life.
The conflict in Lebanon has already taken a devastating toll on the country’s people, and the situation shows no signs of abating. As we witness the human cost of this violence, it is clear that the most vulnerable—women, children, the elderly—are paying the highest price. Families are being torn apart, communities are being destroyed, and the fabric of Lebanese society is being ripped at the seams.
We encourage everyone to keep Lebanon and its people in their thoughts and prayers. Let us not turn away from the immense suffering happening before our eyes. We must pray for peace, for an end to the violence, and for the protection of all those who are vulnerable. But prayer alone is not enough.
You can help. By supporting organisations like the LFT, you can provide vital aid to those who need it most. Your donations will go towards delivering food parcels, emergency medical supplies, and essential household items to displaced families across Lebanon. Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a difference in the lives of those affected by this tragic conflict.
