On 7 May, Israeli airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs marked the first attack on the Lebanese capital since the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon entered into force in mid-April. The strike, which Israel said targeted a commander of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force, signalled a renewed escalation despite diplomatic efforts to consolidate the ceasefire.
The attack was followed by additional Israeli strikes across southern and eastern Lebanon, including in the districts of Tyre, Marjayoun, and Nabatieh, killing at least 13 people.
Both sides continue to accuse one another of violating the truce, while diplomatic talks facilitated by the United States have so far produced only limited progress. President Trump announced that a new round of negotiations between Lebanese and Israeli representatives could be expected to take place in Washington later this year. However, Lebanese officials have cautioned that discussions on broader political normalisation remain premature.
For civilians, the humanitarian consequences remain immediate and severe. According to Lebanese authorities and the United Nations, more than 2,700 people have been killed since fighting resumed in early March, while more than one million people have been displaced from their homes. Many families fled repeated bombardments in southern Lebanon and the outskirts of Beirut, often seeking shelter in overcrowded collective centres or with relatives in safer areas. The latest strikes have triggered further displacement, particularly in southern governorates already heavily affected by months of conflict.
Humanitarian organisations report that insecurity, damaged infrastructure, and unexploded ordnance continue to restrict access to vulnerable communities. The destruction of roads and essential services has complicated the delivery of aid, while repeated evacuation orders have deepened uncertainty among civilians, unsure whether conditions will allow them to return safely to their homes.
Despite these challenges, humanitarian agencies continue to provide emergency assistance across conflict-affected areas. Since the escalation began, aid organisations have distributed water, mattresses, blankets, hygiene supplies, and other essential items to displaced families. However, relief operations remain constrained by ongoing military activity and deteriorating security conditions.
The persistence of hostilities has also raised growing concerns over civilian protection and regional stability. United Nations peacekeepers operating in southern Lebanon have reported extensive military movements, artillery fire, and repeated security incidents affecting both civilians and UN personnel. Five UN peacekeepers have been killed since the fighting resumed.
While diplomatic efforts continue, the fragility of the ceasefire highlights the risk of renewed large-scale escalation. For civilians across Lebanon, continued insecurity, displacement, and restricted access to essential services remain defining features of a conflict that shows few signs of durable resolution.
