Summary

This document provides current news and information about Lebanon.

• Some information below is from the Lebanon News 2023 report.
• In our Lebanon Report for 2022, we identified a short list of relief agencies addressing the crisis in Lebanon stemming from a harbor explosion in 2020 and political unrest in recent years.
• Several groups and agencies are addressing the crisis in Lebanon — Arab.org, Beit El Baraka, Lebanese Red Cross, and USAID.

Restoration Efforts Underway

In August 2020, the largest non-nuclear explosion in history occurred in Beirut. The incident took place at a time when there was already some political and economic instability in Lebanon. The blast took the country into a deeper state of crisis. Since then, many people from around the world have been supporting efforts to restore Lebanon. Here is a video report on the restoration efforts. [Source]

Beit El Baraka

The organization Beit El Baraka recently posted a concise description of what needs to be done, and what is being done, to help restore Lebanon.

Beit El Baraka means “house of blessing” and the organization has been providing for immediate needs, but also training people with skills to produce products and services of value. These are effective and impactful long-term practices and services. This is the ongoing transformation needed. [Watch Video | Visit Website] Excerpt from video description:

• “At Beit el Baraka, we are proud of our commitment to ethics, good governance, and accountability. We believe in transparent communication with our supporters, which is why we release an annual financial statement and impact report that showcase our sound financial management practices and demonstrate the impact of our mission to improve the lives of vulnerable communities all over Lebanon. Without your support, you who believe in our mission and unwavering faith in Lebanon’s future, none of our accomplishments would have been possible. Thank you for not giving up on Lebanon, and thank you for your continued support. We look forward to continuing our work towards a brighter future for Lebanon.” [Watch Video | Visit Website]

Lebanese People

Today there are three-times as many Lebanese people living abroad than are living in Lebanon. They are doctors, engineers, inventors, and entrepreneurs — all contributing to the communities they live in. This results in a global awareness of Lebanon and an appreciation for the Lebanese people. Thus, Lebanon is known and supported around the world. In 2021, the diaspora contributed 6 billion Euros — more than half the country’s GDP. [Source]

Familiarity

Perhaps you know about Lebanon, it is familiar, but you’re not sure why. This is because Lebanon is woven into present-day culture and back through ancient history. [More]

In the United States, there are 47 cities and towns named after Lebanon. At least ten parks and other locations reference Lebanon such as the Cedars of Lebanon State Park in Tennessee. 

Lebanon is mentioned 71 times in the Bible. Cedars of Lebanon were used to build the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. Lebanon is a place where Christians, Jews, and Muslims live, and it’s a place known by people of these faiths around the world. It is forever memorialized in their religious texts, and thus considered a sacred land and people.

Archaeology and scientific research reveals significant events of early human history in the area known as Lebanon today.

Rogue Militia Groups

It is common for countries to have militia groups, mafia, and/or well-armed gangs. In the United States such groups exist and sometimes carryout organized armed acts. As depicted in movies, mobsters are shown as being religious and charitable, despite violating some laws. Similarly, there are stories of drug cartels and militia groups providing funding for schools, hospitals, and other public interest services.

For countries with strained economies, militias and gangs may serve in place of formal military and law enforcement.

Because of the decades-long national economic challenges in Lebanon, a sizable formal standing army is not affordable. Some national security responsibilities have been relinquished to a militant group known as Hezbollah. On the surface, it’s a mutually beneficial relationship. As with similar groups in other countries, Hezbollah provides some social services (healthcare, education, infrastructure). This has softened sentiments among citizens who might otherwise not agree with the militant methods of the group. The relationship is sometimes compared to a protection racket.

“Hezbollah was established by Lebanese clerics primarily to fight the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon.” [Source] Thus, the existence of the group is a response to a threat. Over about 40 years, Hezbollah increasingly became involved in politics and other aspects of society in Lebanon. This could be compared to the Ku Klux Klan becoming deeply embedded in the U.S. government. In other words, groups that may be unsavory, or not representative of the majority of citizens, can grow tentacles that reach into various areas of society.

As with other countries, formally established or informal militia groups can engage in activities that provoke retaliation from other countries. This can produce great harm and destruction on the people and country.

In general, it is better for a country’s citizens to have a military that is guided and restrained by government oversight. Leaders that are democratically elected will presumably seek the short-term and long-term best interests of the people.

Hezbollah receives significant funding and influence from Iran. Thus, there may be some actions taken by the group that serve the goals of Iran and perhaps are not in the best interest of the Lebanese people.

News

Below are selected news stories in chronological order with the most recent at the top. Time is provided or approximated in Central Time U.S. timezone when available.

Deutsche Welle (5 Nov 2024)

“War in Lebanon – Beirut’s first responders on the front line” — Daily airstrikes hit the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital Beirut. The Israeli military says they are aimed at destroying Hezbollah command centers and weapons storage facilities – located in a suburb, home to several hundred thousand people. [Source]

BBC (23 Sep 2024)

“Lebanon says 356 killed in Israeli strikes, including 24 children” — Lebanon’s health ministry says at least 356 people have been killed and more than 1,200 wounded in Israeli strikes today – the deadliest day of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict since 2006. Israel says it is “broadening” its strikes against Hezbollah as citizens in southern Lebanon have received phone messages warning them to leave places used by the Iran-backed group. Lebanon’s prime minister says Israel’s actions amount to “a war of extermination”, while Israel’s defence minister says strikes will continue “until we achieve our goals – to return the residents of the north safely to their homes.” Fears of an all-out regional conflict in the Middle East have grown in the past week. [Source]

BBC (23 Sep 2024)

“Lebanon says 182 killed in morning offensive by Israel on Hezbollah targets” — Lebanon’s health ministry says at least 182 people have been killed and hundreds more wounded in Israel strikes today. The UN has said the Middle East is on the “brink of imminent catastrophe” as tensions rise in the region, with the US also calling on Israel to avoid fighting with Hezbollah. Israel says strikes against Hezbollah are “deepening” as citizens in southern Lebanon have received phone messages warning them to leave places used by the Iran-backed group. A Lebanese minister calls the messages “psychological war” while Israel’s defence minister says strikes will continue “until we achieve our goals – to return the residents of the north safely to their homes”. [Source]

Deutsche Welle (23 Sep 2024)

“What the Israel-Hezbollah cross-border conflict means for Lebanon” — Israel’s military began carrying out what it described as “extensive strikes” against Hezbollah, telling residents to evacuate areas close to buildings that are used by the militant group. The new wave of airstrikes on Lebanon follow a weekend in which both sides exchanged hundreds of rockets. Some struck close to the Israeli port city of Haifa. Israel’s defense minister says the operations will continue until residents can return to evacuated areas near the northern border with Lebanon. Hezbollah has said it will fight on until a cease-fire is secured in Gaza. [Source]

SwitchMed (6 Aug 2024)

“SwitchMed’s Impact in Lebanon: Building Sustainable Futures” — Explore SwitchMed’s transformative impact in Lebanon, fostering green entrepreneurship and sustainable business practices over the past decade. Focusing on the broader ecosystem, we highlight the entrepreneurial mindset, the essential tools and resources provided by SwitchMed through its business toolbox, and how access to finance has driven sustainable initiatives. Hear from local Lebanese entrepreneurs as they share their stories of innovation, growth, and collaboration, navigating challenges to make meaningful contributions within Lebanon’s green ecosystem. SwitchMed is about nurturing vibrant green ecosystems where entrepreneurs can thrive, connect, and collectively contribute to making Lebanon more sustainable. Thank you for being part of this journey. [Source]

PBS (5 Aug 2024)

“Inside a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon where Hamas is gaining popularity amid war” — The killing of a top Hamas leader shook a Middle East already ten months into a brutal war. It has also galvanized Palestinian populations beyond Gaza and the West Bank, especially in Lebanon, long home to both political and armed groups and hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees. Special correspondent Simona Foltyn gained rare access to Hamas operations there and reports. [Source]

Al Jazeera (4 Aug 2024)

Anxious in Beirut is a documentary film by Zakaria Jaber. This is a short version of the documentary provided by Al Jazeera.

“Anxious in Beirut: A Director’s Raw Reflection of the Realities in Lebanon” — In the ever-present desire to capture, record and understand Beirut – and by extension himself – director Zakaria Jaber has been trying to tell a coherent story of his city. Towards the end of 2019, the situation in Lebanon led to a continuous barrage that helped materialise the story of Beirut, and its culmination in a series of events in fluctuating climaxes. Anxious in Beirut is Zakaria’s personal diary that documents these events – the revolution, destruction and demonstrations. These events, which have happened before and will happen again, are part of the cyclical nature of this city. The differing details only give rise to new observable symptoms and new forms of necessary adaptability, to an older more inherent systemic problem. [Source]

DW News (3 Aug 2024)

“Life in the Palestinian refugee camps of Beirut” — In the Palestinian refugee camps of Sabra and Shatila, people live at subsistence level. They have no civil rights and no prospects. The Palestinian camps set up in Beirut after the founding of Israel still seem like makeshift arrangements, even today. The documentary portrays three families living in Sabra and Shatila. Both camps were established in the Lebanese capital of Beirut shortly after the founding of the state of Israel in 1948. They were created as a refuge for Palestinian families after their expulsion and flight from what is now the territory of Israel. [Source]

WSJ (30 Jul 2024 at 2106)

“How Hezbollah Came to Power in the Middle East” — As Israel has been battling Hamas, it has also been exchanging fire with another group along the border: Hezbollah. The U.S.-designated terrorist group from Lebanon also has strong ties to Iran, who has provided intelligence, arms, funds and guidance to the group. So why have Hezbollah and Israel been ramping up violence? [Source]

Al Jazeera (30 Jul 2024 at 2039)

“Israel says Beirut’s attack targeted Hezbollah commander in response to the Golan Heights attack” — An Israeli airstrike on Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, has resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals, including a mother and her two children. Additionally, 74 people were injured in the attack. According to the Israeli military, the strike targeted and killed Fuad Shukr, a high-ranking Hezbollah commander al-legedly responsible for an attack on the Occupied Golan Heights this past Saturday. However, Hezbollah has denied involvement in that incident and has not confirmed Shukr’s death. [Source]

Al Jazeera (30 Jul 2024 at 2038)

“Lebanon plans to file complaint to UN following the Israeli strike on Beirut” — Lebanon’s foreign minister says it plans to file a complaint to the United Nations following the Israeli strike in Beirut. [Source]

Deutsche Welle (30 Jul 2024 at 1900)

“Lebanon: Israel claims it killed top Hezbollah commander in Beirut” — Lebanon: The Israeli army has carried out what it calls a targeted strike on a senior Hezbollah commander in the southern suburbs of Beirut. The strike killed at least one person and wounded dozens more. Israel’s military says the targeted commander was responsible for Saturday’s attack on the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, which killed 12 children and teenagers. Israel blames Hezbollah – the Lebanese armed group denies responsibility. [Source]

CBS (30 Jul 2024 at 1825)

“Israel strikes Lebanon following attack in Golan Heights” — Israeli forces struck a suburb of Beirut, saying they were targeting a senior Hezbollah leader. The strike was in retaliation for an attack in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights that killed 12 children, as many fear the conflict could escalate into a full-scale war. Imtiaz Tyab reports. [Source]

CBS (30 Jul 2024 at ~1700)

“Israel strikes Beirut, targeting Hezbollah commander after Golan Heights attack” — The Israeli military said it carried out a strike in Lebanon targeting the Hezbollah leader who may have been behind the Golan Heights rocket attack in Israel. CBS News contributor Andrew Boyd, the former chief of operations in the CIA’s Counterterrorism Mission Center, joins CBS News with more details. [Source]

NBC (30 Jul 2024 at ~1600)

“At least one dead, several injured in Beirut strike” — The Israeli military said the were targeting Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr, better known by his nickname Hajj Mohsen, in the airstrike carried out in southern Beirut. The strike has left at least one person dead and several injured. [Source]

Al Jazeera (30 Jul 2024 at ~1400)

“Beirut suburb attack: At least one killed in Israeli attack on Lebanon” — Israel’s military has said it carried out a strike on a southern suburb of Beirut targeting the Hezbollah commander behind the July 27 attack on Majdal Shams in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, which killed 12 children. Hezbollah has denied responsibility for that attack. [Source]

Channel 4 News (30 Jul 2024 at ~1400)

“Israel accused of using white phosphorus in Lebanon as tensions escalate” — The escalating tensions have fuelled fears of an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah. [Source]

CNN (30 Jul 2024 at ~1400)

“Israel targets Hezbollah chief in Beirut strike” — The Israeli military said it carried out a “targeted strike” in southern Beirut. It said the strike was on the Hezbollah commander they say is responsible for a rocket attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that killed 12 children. [Source]

ABC News (30 Jul 2024 at ~1300)

“Israel targets senior Hezbollah commander in strike on Beirut, IDF says” — The IDF said the commander is responsible for Saturday’s strike that killed children playing soccer in the Golan Heights. [Source]

BBC News (30 Jul 2024 at ~1300)

“Explosion hits Beirut suburb as Israel says it has ‘targeted’ Hezbollah commander” — At least one explosion has hit a southern suburb of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, which is a base for the Iranian-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah. [Source]

WSJ (30 Jul 2024)

“How Hezbollah Became a Power in Lebanon and the Middle East” — As Israel has been battling Hamas, it has also been exchanging fire with another group along the border: Hezbollah. The U.S.-designated terrorist group from Lebanon also has strong ties to Iran, who has provided intelligence, arms, funds and guidance to the group. So why have Hezbollah and Israel been ramping up violence? [Source]

Documentary (18 Apr 2024)

“Lebanon Crisis: the Last Hope” — Long considered the Switzerland of the Middle East, Lebanon is now going through the worst economic crisis in its history. 80% of the population lives below the poverty line. In one year, food prices have jumped 500% due to galloping inflation. For Riad, who runs a grocery store in the suburbs of Beirut, business has become hellish. Every morning, calculator in hand, he changes the labels of his products according to the day’s exchange rate. An operation all the more complex as his store is plunged into darkness, due to lack of electricity. The Lebanese government no longer provides more than two hours of electricity per day in the country. It is impossible for the population to heat, light or use their refrigerator. Taking advantage of the situation, a network of private generators has emerged. The Lebanese pound, the local currency, has lost 90% of its value. The only ones to get away with it are those who are paid in dollars. The greenback, which is exchanged for a fortune against the local currency, has given birth to a new privileged social class in the country. A salesman in an international pharmaceutical company, Joseph lives like a king in a ruined Lebanon. Thanks to his new purchasing power, he repaid his house loan in two months, instead of… twenty years! In a bankrupt state, plagued by corruption, six out of ten Lebanese citizens now dream of leaving the country. In Tripoli, in northern Lebanon, Mohammed and his son left by sea to reach Germany. Although their trip was cut short off the Turkish coast, the young father is still ready to take all the risks to reach the European El Dorado. [Source]

Al Jazeera (1 Feb 2024)

“What is Hezbollah and how is it linked to the Israel-Gaza war?” — The war in Gaza has reignited the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah – and there fears it could escalate into a full-blown war. [Source]