Airstrikes in Southern Beirut Trigger Panic and Displacement Ahead of Eid
OCHA reports that a series of Israeli airstrikes struck Beirut’s southern suburbs late Thursday, causing widespread panic and displacement on the eve of Eid Al-Adha. This marks the fourth such attack on the capital Beirut since the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah came into effect in November 2024.
According to local media reports, more than 100 housing units were destroyed across eight buildings targeted in the densely-populated neighborhoods of Hadath, Burj Al Barajneh and Haret Hreik. At least 20 strikes were recorded, impacting areas in southern Beirut as well as the village of Ain Qana in southern Lebanon.
Thousands of residents of the targeted areas fled their homes following displacement orders issued by the Israeli Army around 20:38 local time (UTC+3) on 5 June, with video footage showing packed streets and traffic gridlock as plumes of smoke rose over the capital. While no fatalities have been reported, the Ministry of Health announced that three people were injured in the village of Ain Qana. Emergency responders have reported significant structural damage to civilian infrastructure, including a school for persons with disabilities in Beirut's southern suburbs.
The strikes came as approximately 82,000 individuals remain displaced across Lebanon, primarily from areas along the border with Israel, according to the International Organization for Migration's (IOM) report for May 2025. Meanwhile 981,490 internally displaced persons have returned to their areas of origin, where many continue to face significant challenges related to insecurity, destruction of housing and infrastructure, and damaged and overstretched basic services, impeding durable return and recovery.
The United Nations and its partners are working to provide continued humanitarian assistance and recovery support to conflict-affected communities, and to monitor the evolving situation. OCHA calls on all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and to take all feasible precautions to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.