Lebanon faces devastating crisis as thousands killed in ongoing conflict

Lebanon is grappling with a severe multifaceted crisis following the Israel-Hezbollah conflict that began on October 8, 2023, and escalated into significant violence by September 2024. The United Nations has indicated that the war has had a catastrophic impact, resulting in over 4,285 casualties, including hundreds of women and children. As of early January 2025, the conflict has also led to the displacement of over 1.2 million individuals. The devastation includes damage to approximately 64,000 buildings and significant disruption to education, affecting hundreds of thousands of students in the country. The war has made the situation in Lebanon significantly worse, as the poverty rate among the population has escalated dramatically. The proportion of Lebanese citizens living below the poverty line surged from 11% in 2012 to 33% in 2022, further aggravated by the war which particularly intensified hardships in eastern and southern Lebanon. Additionally, the economic ramifications of the conflict have been devastating, with a reported 38% contraction of Lebanon's economy between 2019 and 2024, resulting in a significant setback on the Human Development Index, which has reverted to levels seen in 2010. Employment in the private sector has suffered greatly, with a noted decline of 25% during the conflict, illustrating the widespread impact on people's livelihoods. The tourism sector, once a vital part of the economy, is predicted to account for only 5.5% of the economic contributions in 2024, compared to previous years when it was much higher. As conditions worsen, the United Nations emphasized that more than 1.6 million people face severe food insecurity, with nearly a million of those being Lebanese citizens. The U.N. has asserted the urgency for Lebanon to adopt a nationally driven recovery plan, calling for reforms particularly in public administration to bolster recovery efforts. It has been indicated that only through substantial and coordinated actions involving the Lebanese government, international donors, and various organizations can the country hope to rehabilitate its economy and society. However, financial support from international and Arab entities hinges on Lebanon's commitment to necessary reforms and disarming Hezbollah, as set by Israel as a condition to cease ongoing hostilities.