Lebanon: Flash Update #2 - Escalation of hostilities in Lebanon, as of 6 March 2026
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This report is produced by OCHA Lebanon Office in collaboration with Inter-Sector Coordination Group under 2026 Lebanon Response Plan (LRP) Framework. It covers the period from 02 to 06 March 2026.
KEY FIGURES
110 K(SOURCE: DRM) displaced in collective shelters
512(SOURCE: DRM) shelters
217(SOURCE: MOPH) people killed
798(SOURCE: MOPH) people injured
HIGHLIGHTS
• Since 02 March, at least 217 conflictrelated deaths and 798 injuries have been reported. (Source: Ministry of Public Health – MoPH)
• MoSA is leading the registration of IDPs both inside and outside collective shelters.
• Since 02 March, an estimated 110,162 displaced people have been registered in 512 collective shelters. Some IDPs may be experiencing secondary displacement as movements continue.
SITUATION OVERVIEW
The security situation has sharply deteriorated, with frequent airstrikes, rising casualties, 694 hostile incidents recorded by the DRM, and increasingly broad Israeli displacement orders, which have shifted from village-specific evacuation instructions to broad geographic displacement directives, significantly increasing the scale and complexity of population movements. In addition, expanded Israeli military activity inside southern Lebanon has been reported, including ground forces operating near border towns such as Khiam, Houla, and Kfar Kila.
The escalation has resulted in a growing number of casualties. According to the Public Health Emergency Operations Center at the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), Israeli attacks between the early hours of 02 March to the afternoon (17:40) of 06 March have resulted in 217 fatalities and 798 injuries.
On 6 March, three Ghanaian peacekeepers of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) were injured inside their position in Al Qawzah, southwestern Lebanon, amidst heavy firing. UN Secretary-General issued a statement condemning the incident and underscored that the safety and security of UN personnel and property must be respected at all times, and that those responsible must be held accountable.
On 05 March, Israel issued a large displacement order covering wide areas of Beirut’s southern suburbs (Dahiyeh) as well as three villages in Bekaa governorate, followed by an additional displacement order affecting three more villages in Bekaa on 06 March. This evolving pattern reflects a shift from localized border evacuations toward mass urban displacement, particularly affecting densely populated neighborhoods with limited immediate shelter capacity.
According to the DRM unit, as of 06 March approximately 110,162 people are currently displaced and sheltered in 512 collective shelters across the country. Thousands of additional displaced individuals have not yet been formally registered in collective shelters. According to UNICEF, at least 18,000 children have been displaced in the past 24 hours, indicating that displacement extends well beyond officially recorded shelter populations.
Many displaced families are seeking refuge in public schools and other collective shelters, and large numbers of displaced people outside of collective shelters are not identified. In addition, some families remain sheltered in vehicles or gather along roadsides.
To accommodate the increasing influx of displaced people, the Government of Lebanon has designated all public schools and Lebanese University campuses as collective shelters, in addition to preparing additional public buildings to expand shelter capacity.
The scale and speed of displacement are generating multiple humanitarian risks. The shift toward mass urban evacuation increases exposure to secondary hazards, including but not limited to overcrowding, protection incidents, and heightened risks of gender-based violence. UNICEF reports growing concerns regarding family separation and unaccompanied or separated children. Child protection sector partners are already identifying injured children and providing psychosocial support and emergency assistance in shelters. Regarding the situation of displaced persons with disabilities, Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and disability-focused actors have highlighted several key concerns. Based on preliminary findings, initial requests for assistance, and direct communication with displaced persons with disabilities, many are currently staying in private homes or with relatives due to the lack of accessible accommodation options in available shelters.
Refugees and migrant populations are also likely to face disproportionate vulnerability due to limited coping capacities. In addition, higher number of injured non-Lebanese populations compared to 2024 is reported.