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After more than a year of intense conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad revealed on Wednesday a tragic human toll. According to his statements, this conflict caused 4,047 dead and 16,638 injuredthe majority of deaths having been recorded since September 15. These figures, announced a week after the entry into force of a ceasefire, underline the scale of human losses and the seriousness of the situation in Lebanon.
Firas Abiad said the actual toll could be even higher due to the many unreported deaths in the most affected regions, where access to infrastructure is limited.
The causes and evolution of the conflict
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which began more than 13 months ago, has plunged Lebanon into an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. The clashes were marked by Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah military positions, but also causing destruction in densely populated civilian areas. These intensive bombings, combined with sporadic aftershocks from Hezbollah, have exacerbated an already critical situation in a Lebanon in the grip of a serious economic and political crisis.
Since September, hostilities have intensified, significantly increasing the number of civilian casualties. The airstrikes, particularly concentrated in southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut, have forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes, worsening the internally displaced person crisis.
The humanitarian impact
The human toll of 4,047 dead and 16,638 injured, as announced by the Minister of Health, illustrates a disastrous situation on a humanitarian level. Many critical infrastructure, such as hospitals and clinics, have been damaged or destroyed, complicating access to care for the injured. The destruction of roads and bridges has also hampered relief operations and the supply of humanitarian aid.
Rural regions, often isolated, are particularly affected. According to the minister, unreported deaths largely come from these areas, where rescue teams struggle to intervene. These logistical obstacles, coupled with a health system already weakened by years of underfunding, make the situation critical.
The role of the ceasefire
The entry into force of a ceasefire last week offered a glimmer of hope for the Lebanese. This respite in hostilities allows humanitarian organizations to deploy relief efforts in the most affected areas. However, the challenges are immense: rebuilding infrastructure, caring for the injured, and providing psychological support to survivors will require considerable resources.
The Lebanese government also called for international assistance to help with the reconstruction and recovery of disaster areas. However, internal political divisions and international donors' distrust of Lebanese institutions could complicate the mobilization of this aid.
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