“People across Lebanon were holding their breath for a ceasefire agreement, but a wave of deadly strikes plunged the country into panic and chaos,” said Agnès Dhur, ICRC's head of delegation in Lebanon.

“Many who had begun thinking of the moment when they might return to their homes have been rushing to streets and hospitals, searching for missing loved ones or seeking a safety that feels increasingly out of reach.”

Heavy explosive weapons with wide-area effects struck densely populated urban areas, including the capital Beirut, without effective advance warnings. The daytime strikes on bustling neighbourhoods left more than one hundred killed and hundreds more wounded, including women, children and medical workers. Some remain missing or trapped beneath the rubble.

Our partner, the Lebanese Red Cross (LRC), is at the forefront of the response. Its teams rushed to evacuate the deceased and transport the wounded to hospitals, despite challenging conditions and roads blocked by debris. The LRC dispatched 100 ambulances across the country to reach civilians in a remarkable effort.

The ICRC is working closely with local authorities and the LRC to support the medical response as overwhelmed medical facilities absorb an influx of casualties. We are working on dispatching urgently needed medical consumables and kits for weapon-wounded patients to facilities coping with the surge in casualties. The ICRC is also providing supplies and support to emergency medical services.

Any comprehensive agreement for the region must consider the safety, protection and dignity of civilians in Lebanon. After more than five weeks of hostilities, people urgently need respite from the violence.

The ICRC reiterates its urgent call on all parties to protect and respect civilians and civilian objects during military operations. 

About the ICRC
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a neutral, impartial, and independent organization mandated by the Geneva Conventions to assist individuals affected by armed conflict and violence. The ICRC strives to protect lives and dignity and alleviate suffering, often in collaboration with its Red Cross and Red Crescent partners.

For more information, please contact:

Sally Aoun, ICRC Lebanon, +961 81 314 798, saaoun@icrc.org