Today's top news: Lebanon, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan, Ukraine

#Lebanon

Violations of international law continue as attacks on healthcare climb

OCHA says that humanitarian needs continue to deepen across the country as high-intensity hostilities persist, with civilians continuing to bear the brunt of the violence.

The human toll of the conflict continues to mount. Since yesterday, more than 40 people were killed and over 160 others injured, bringing the total number of deaths to over 2,100 and over 7,000 injured since the start of the escalation on 2 March, according to authorities. Over 1.2 million people have been displaced following sweeping displacement orders covering around 15 per cent of the country.

Fighting around the town of Bint Jbeil in the governorate of Nabatieh continues to threaten civilian movement and humanitarian access. Today’s strike on the Qasmiyeh bridge, a critical route to Tyre, has further cut off areas south of the Litani River, impacting more than 106,000 people. Only one crossing is still open now.

 Attacks on healthcare continue. Tebnin Hospital, a key trauma facility in southern Lebanon, saw its emergency department and other critical facilities damaged, but reportedly remains operational.

Since the escalation, attacks on healthcare have resulted in 88 deaths and more than 200 injuries among health workers. These incidents constitute a serious violation of international humanitarian law and are severely undermining people’s access to healthcare.

Humanitarian partners continue to respond despite major operational constraints and severe underfunding. Since 2 March, our partners working in water and sanitation have distributed more than 140,000 blankets, 114,000 mattresses, and over 100,000 hygiene kits. More than 3 million litres of bottled drinking water have also been delivered to affected populations.

The Lebanon Flash Appeal was jointly launched on 13 March by the Secretary-General and the Prime Minister of Lebanon, covering the period from March to May. It aims to reach 1 million people and requires $308 million. But just over a month later, the appeal is less than a quarter per cent funded. Critical humanitarian assistance and services are at risk of being severely curtailed or suspended, as the number of people who need aid continues to surge.

#Occupied Palestinian Territory

Aid trickles into Gaza amid limited access

OCHA reports that yesterday, UN teams collected fuel, food, medical supplies, clothing and other items from the two operational cargo crossings, Kerem Shalom and Zikim in Gaza.

On Tuesday, humanitarians collected cargo only from Kerem Shalom because collection and offloading activities at Zikim have so far been allowed only on alternating days. 

Meanwhile, mine action partners report that last week they provided education sessions to more than 12,000 people in Gaza City, Deir al Balah and Khan Younis on risks associated with explosive ordnance. Over a dozen accidents injuring more than 30 people have occurred so far in 2026. Addressing that risk more meaningfully requires clearance to take critical equipment into Gaza and conduct the full range of disposal activities. 

Restrictions, including limitations on the entry of items listed as “dual use” or non-humanitarian, including equipment needed to dispose of explosive ordnance, continue to hamper the humanitarian response.  

Partners addressing gender-based violence share that they provided nearly 8,000 people with a range of services, including mental health support and sessions on legal rights, reproductive health and protection from sexual exploitation and abuse. That’s alongside the provision of cash and items to support women and girls with their personal hygiene and wellbeing. 

Meanwhile, there are reports this week of continued attacks, including Israeli strikes and shelling, affecting residential areas, placing civilians at risk. On Saturday, two people, including a toddler, were reportedly wounded when a UN school used as a shelter for internally displaced people in Jabalya Camp was hit by gunfire. 

OCHA stresses that civilians and civilian facilities must always be protected. 

In the West Bank, OCHA reports that high levels of displacement continue. The first two weeks of April recorded the displacement of some 150 people, bringing the overall number of displaced so far in 2026 to more than 2,500 Palestinians, including over 1,100 children; this displacement is mostly due to settler violence and access restrictions, but also linked to demolitions and evictions. 

#Sudan

Death toll rises as conflict enters fourth year  

In Sudan, the war there enters its fourth year, and drone attacks continue to claim the lives of civilians in Darfur.

Humanitarian partners report that, on Tuesday, an attack struck a market in the village of Adikon, West Darfur, near the crucial Adre border crossing. Five civilians were killed and four others were injured.

Civilians and civilian infrastructure must not be targeted, in line with international humanitarian law. The United Nations continues to call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, and for rapid, safe, unimpeded and sustained humanitarian access to all those in need. 

*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Sudan with urgent support. 

#Ukraine

 UN official calls for better protection of civilians amid relentless drone attacks

OCHA reports that, between yesterday and today, large-scale attacks across Ukraine have caused multiple civilian casualties and extensive damage to residential areas.

From Dnipro this morning, the Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, stressed that, for many communities, such attacks have become a daily reality, extending far beyond front-line areas, and reiterated that civilians and those assisting them must be protected under international humanitarian law.***

Authorities report that 21 civilians were killed, including a child, and some 145 injured.

The cities of Odesa, Dnipro and Kyiv were among the most affected. Multiple residential buildings, office premises, a shopping centre, a hotel and a school were damaged. Hostilities in front-line regions also continue to cause widespread damage to housing and civilian infrastructure, including schools in the Kharkiv region. 

The UN and humanitarian partners are mobilised and supporting national responders in search-and-rescue operations, putting out fires and clearing debris. They also delivered first medical and psychological aid.

***OCHA footage available at https://media.un.org/unifeed/en/asset/d355/d3557089