A conditional and temporary truce between Israel and armed groups in Lebanon must be respected and transformed into a lasting ceasefire that brings permanent peace to the region, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has said.
Lebanon: Truce must lead to permanent peace
The 60-day truce, set to end on January 26, has significantly contributed to reducing hostilities, yet over a hundred thousand people remain displaced across Lebanon. Israel continues to maintain troops in dozens of villages in the south of the country, preventing civilians from returning home, while also launching repetitive attacks affecting civilians.
“While the ceasefire seems intact on paper, civilians in Lebanon continued to be killed and their homes blown up by the Israeli military,” said Maureen Philippon, Country Director NRC in Lebanon.
Despite the ceasefire, repeated Israeli attacks have reportedly killed at least 29 civilians since the truce began.
“A renewal of hostilities would be a devastating blow for civilians still struggling to rebuild their lives. Regional and international mediators must ensure this truce evolves into a lasting ceasefire, with a firm commitment to protecting all civilians and civilian infrastructure,” added Philippon.
NRC teams who are supporting displaced families report a sense of fear and uncertainty among people. People displaced to the southern city of Tyre told NRC that they are desperate to return home and see if their villages remain standing.
Nazem, displaced from a border village in South Lebanon told NRC, “I'm waiting second by second, not by the minute or the hour, to return to the village, knowing that my house was swept away.”
Many Lebanese are confronted with the harsh reality of destroyed infrastructure, limited access to essential services and the inability to return home. The continued presence of Israeli troops in dozens of villages in southern Lebanon severely restricts the freedom of movement and leaves many in a prolonged state of displacement.
“Lebanese villagers are still being warned against returning to their homes and lands, while many others don’t even know what happened to the house they left months ago. These people will need all the stability and support they can get to get back on their feet after. Israel must withdraw from these villages so that thousands can go back,” said Philippon.
Over a year of conflict has torn lives apart, undermined incomes, and left children without adequate education. People need safe shelter, with nearly 100,000 homes in Lebanon either damaged or destroyed. Cash assistance will be vital to help people who will spend the first few months without income, particularly in farming communities where damage to land will take a long time to reverse. Short-term support to fix water systems, rebuild houses, allow small businesses to restock, and help children overcome trauma and catch up with the school year will also be essential.
Rakad, who fled the border village of Yarine, said, “We have been displaced from our village for 16 months. We are all waiting for the 27th to go back, kiss the soil of our land, and breathe the air of our village.”
Notes to editors
-
Photos and videos from Lebanon can be downloaded for free use here.
-
Many displaced people are unable to return to over 60 villages in southern Lebanon due to ongoing presence of military forces and warnings issued by Israeli Forces (OCHA).
-
Since the ceasefire came into effect on the 27 November, at least 29 civilians have reportedly been killed in Israeli attacks (OCHA).
-
113,578 people remain internally displaced in Lebanon (IOM).
-
Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed 4,163 people, including 290 children and 790 women, and 17,105 have been wounded (OCHA).
-
NRC has reached over 73,000 people in Lebanon between September and November 2024 with essential aid including shelter, hygiene and water, and emergency education.
-
Since October 2023, nearly 100,000 homes have been either completely destroyed or partially damaged in Lebanon amounting to US$2.8B in losses (OCHA).
For information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
-
NRC's global media hotline: media@nrc.no, +47 905 62 329
-
Ahmed Bayram, Middle East and North Africa regional media adviser: ahmed.bayram@nrc.no, +962 790 160 147
The 60-day truce, set to end on January 26, has significantly contributed to reducing hostilities, yet over a hundred thousand people remain displaced across Lebanon. Israel continues to maintain troops in dozens of villages in the south of the country, preventing civilians from returning home, while also launching repetitive attacks affecting civilians.
“While the ceasefire seems intact on paper, civilians in Lebanon continued to be killed and their homes blown up by the Israeli military,” said Maureen Philippon, Country Director NRC in Lebanon.
Despite the ceasefire, repeated Israeli attacks have reportedly killed at least 29 civilians since the truce began.
“A renewal of hostilities would be a devastating blow for civilians still struggling to rebuild their lives. Regional and international mediators must ensure this truce evolves into a lasting ceasefire, with a firm commitment to protecting all civilians and civilian infrastructure,” added Philippon.
NRC teams who are supporting displaced families report a sense of fear and uncertainty among people. People displaced to the southern city of Tyre told NRC that they are desperate to return home and see if their villages remain standing.
Nazem, displaced from a border village in South Lebanon told NRC, “I'm waiting second by second, not by the minute or the hour, to return to the village, knowing that my house was swept away.”
Many Lebanese are confronted with the harsh reality of destroyed infrastructure, limited access to essential services and the inability to return home. The continued presence of Israeli troops in dozens of villages in southern Lebanon severely restricts the freedom of movement and leaves many in a prolonged state of displacement.
“Lebanese villagers are still being warned against returning to their homes and lands, while many others don’t even know what happened to the house they left months ago. These people will need all the stability and support they can get to get back on their feet after. Israel must withdraw from these villages so that thousands can go back,” said Philippon.
Over a year of conflict has torn lives apart, undermined incomes, and left children without adequate education. People need safe shelter, with nearly 100,000 homes in Lebanon either damaged or destroyed. Cash assistance will be vital to help people who will spend the first few months without income, particularly in farming communities where damage to land will take a long time to reverse. Short-term support to fix water systems, rebuild houses, allow small businesses to restock, and help children overcome trauma and catch up with the school year will also be essential.
Rakad, who fled the border village of Yarine, said, “We have been displaced from our village for 16 months. We are all waiting for the 27th to go back, kiss the soil of our land, and breathe the air of our village.”
Notes to editors
-
Photos and videos from Lebanon can be downloaded for free use here.
-
Many displaced people are unable to return to over 60 villages in southern Lebanon due to ongoing presence of military forces and warnings issued by Israeli Forces (OCHA).
-
Since the ceasefire came into effect on the 27 November, at least 29 civilians have reportedly been killed in Israeli attacks (OCHA).
-
113,578 people remain internally displaced in Lebanon (IOM).
-
Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed 4,163 people, including 290 children and 790 women, and 17,105 have been wounded (OCHA).
-
NRC has reached over 73,000 people in Lebanon between September and November 2024 with essential aid including shelter, hygiene and water, and emergency education.
-
Since October 2023, nearly 100,000 homes have been either completely destroyed or partially damaged in Lebanon amounting to US$2.8B in losses (OCHA).
For information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
-
NRC's global media hotline: media@nrc.no, +47 905 62 329
-
Ahmed Bayram, Middle East and North Africa regional media adviser: ahmed.bayram@nrc.no, +962 790 160 147