The conflict in Gaza, which started in October 2023, has left 44,000 Palestinians dead, as of November 2024. Lebanon became entangled in the conflict when the “Iran-aligned Shia militant and political group,” Hezbollah, started firing rockets into northern Israel in response to the war in Gaza. Since Lebanon has been involved in the conflict, Israel has been launching devastating attacks on the country, along with a ground invasion in southern Lebanon; UNHCR estimates that about 1.2 million Lebanese have been displaced and about 3,700 Lebanese people have been killed since the beginning of the conflict. Yet, As the war in Gaza rages on, there has been a very recent and tentative ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon. With this ceasefire, many displaced Lebanese are returning home. This article will explore the obstacles following the ceasefire in Lebanon

Issues with Health Care

Because of the conflict, Lebanon’s health care system has been exhausted to an extreme degree. Also, Israeli attacks affected health care facilities in very high proportions. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the crisis has affected “one in 10 hospitals in Lebanon” and “63% of incidents in Lebanon..impacted health personnel.”

Now, Lebanese people are trying to return home, and the health care system will not be able to support them unless it gets more resources. Rabih Torbay, CEO of Project Hope, says, “The priority must be to replenish stocks of medicines, reestablish clinics, and ensure emergency care is available.” After destroying many health care facilities, people naturally flock to safer areas, which become overcrowded and have limited resources.

Torbay says Lebanese Mayors are asking for medical assistance even over food and water. They pointed out that people with diseases or serious injuries have nowhere to go and will likely die.

Project Hope

Luckily, organizations like Project Hope are assisting Lebanon during this crisis. Project Hope is a humanitarian and health organization founded in 1958 that helps countries across the globe. They provide urgent relief in times of disaster. It delivers medicine, offers psychological first aid, secures water, partners with local experts and more.

Along with a lack of basic medical needs, displaced Lebanese people are suffering from trauma and a lack of appropriate hygienic materials. Project Hope “field assessments have revealed an increasing need for mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), particularly among children.” As a result, “Project HOPE has distributed 1,700 hygiene kits and other essential dignity and non-food items to IDPs in 10 schools across the Mount Lebanon area.” It hs provided “emergency trauma supplies” also.

The nation not only needs supplies, but they need medical centers themselves. “Project Hope is establishing two mobile medical units staffed by specialized local doctors and nurses.” This organization is tackling some of the greatest obstacles following the ceasefire in Lebanon.

Destruction and Danger Zones

With the very recent ceasefire agreement, thousands of displaced Lebanese head home. Despite the horrific crisis, there have been a few celebrations; the ceasefire has brought some relief to the Lebanese people as many of them return to villages in the south. However, this excitement is stunted by the immense destruction throughout the nation. The attacks have completely destroyed some communities and many people do not have much of a home to return to. Destruction of infrastructure is another one of the obstacles following the ceasefire.

In addition to the destruction, some areas on the border are unsafe. Although the ceasefire requires the Israeli army to leave, Israel sent out a message saying that there are 10 border villages where people are “prohibited” from going, even if they are “residents” of the area. This situation has led to confrontations that have left Lebanese people and journalists with injuries as they confront Israeli tanks and soldiers. Israeli soldiers and tanks have fired on people in these areas, claiming people entering the area are “violating the conditions of this ceasefire,” reports NPR.

Save the Children

Save the Children is another organization assisting Lebanon. The organization reports that it has “supported 166,000 people in Lebanon, including more than 67,000 children.” Even more, it provides safe shelters to help families with no homes to go back to.

Save the Child reports that there are “1.5 million children in Lebanon out of education.” This reality is only adding to the already traumatic experience. However, charities like Project Hope and Save the Children are working to provide as much support as they can.  Save the Children reports that they are “working with local partners and government authorities” to help children and families as they begin to rebuild.

Though people are skeptical that the ceasefire in Lebanon will last, many see it as an important and hopeful step for Lebanon. Despite obstacles following the ceasefire, Lebanon keeps moving forward and works to reconstruct.

– Michael Messina

Michael is based in Newburyport, MA, USA and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr