UN warns Lebanon’s humanitarian crisis now exceeds severity of 2006 conflict

BEIRUT — The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon now exceeds the severity seen during the 2006 war.

“The situation has escalated significantly in recent days. The Israeli Army issued evacuation orders to residents in Baalbek and Nabatieh shortly before airstrikes targeted these areas,” OCHA reported, noting that the destruction of essential infrastructure, including healthcare facilities, has worsened the humanitarian toll. Many hospitals are struggling with overcrowding and urgently requesting blood donations to manage the dangerous influx of casualties.

🚨 The crisis in #Lebanon is crippling health care. Hospitals are overwhelmed & supplies are running low.

On 30-31 Oct., the Israeli army issued displacement orders for all of Baalbek city & on 31 Oct., for a refugee camp for the first time, along with 10 villages in the South⬇️

— UN Humanitarian (@UNOCHA) November 4, 2024

The Israeli Army issued renewed evacuation instructions for Baalbek residents due to Hezbollah-linked facilities in the area. This coincided with border sirens after dozens of projectiles were reported crossing from Lebanon into northern Israel. Israeli Army spokesman Avichay Adraee posted on X, advising residents in Baalbek and the village of Dors in southwestern Lebanon to avoid proximity to Hezbollah sites, warning they will be targeted. He shared maps marking these buildings and instructed residents to stay at least 500 meters away.

#عاجل إلى جميع السكان المتواجدين في منطقة دورس وتحديدًا في المبنى المحدد في الخريطة المرفقة والمباني المجاورة له

⭕️أنتم تتواجدون بالقرب من منشآت ومصالح تابعة لحزب الله حيث سيعمل ضدها جيش الدفاع على المدى الزمني القريب

⭕️من أجل سلامتكم وسلامة أبناء عائلتكم عليكم اخلاء المبنى… pic.twitter.com/x3z2C4QIHm

— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) November 3, 2024