Situation Overview:
- The announcement of a ceasefire on 27 November 2024 triggered an immediate and large-scale return movement. As of 12 December, more than 902,700 people have returned to their areas of origin. However, returnees are facing significant challenges, including ongoing insecurity, unexploded ordnance risks, disrupted public services, and access restrictions in over 70 localities in South Lebanon.
- At least 12 people have been reportedly killed in attacks since the ceasefire announcement, according to the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), with strikes continuing to affect parts of the Baalbek-Hermel, Bekaa, El Nabatieh and South governorates.
- 19 Primary Health Care Centres (PHCCs) and dispensaries, and three hospitals remain closed, and another six hospitals are only partially operating, severely impacting delivery of medical services. Access to life-saving obstetric care and maternal deliveries remains insufficient, especially in Bent Jbeil, Marjaayoun and El Nabatiyeh districts.
- Many returning families remain internally displaced, as their homes have been destroyed or damaged, but have still moved closer to their communities. Preliminary assessments report that at least 99,000 housing units have been damaged or destroyed, with extensive damage to water, power, and health infrastructure.
- More than 178,800 people (52% women) remain internally displaced - 48% are living in host settings, 46% are living in rentals, 3% are housed in 65 collective shelters, and 1% have resided in unfinished buildings, tents, parks, or on the streets. Notably, 33% of those living in host settings are living in overcrowded conditions.
- The escalation of hostilities since 26 November and the resulting political transition in Syria on 8 December, has led to intense population movements in and out of Lebanon. Official border crossings that are now open include Arida (North, reopened on 13 December), Masnaa and Qaa (Bekaa, reopened on 8 and 11 December respectively), while unofficial border crossing points are also being used. During this period, the Government of Lebanon reported that 10,000 Syrians returned to Syria, while 55,000 people (30,000 Syrian and 25,000 Lebanese) entered Lebanon, including Lebanese who had fled the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict.
- Women and girls on the move and/or those returning to unsafe or damaged homes face significant protection risks, including exposure to gender-based violence (GBV) and sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA).
