Lebanon updates death toll as conflict with Israel shows no signs of abating

Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health has released an update on the country’s casualty count, revealing a sobering picture.

As of the latest reports, 2,141 people have been killed and 10,099 have been injured since the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel began in October 2023. The violence continues to take its toll, with yesterday’s numbers showing 22 fatalities and 80 wounded.

The ongoing clashes have resulted in significant displacement and damage to civilian infrastructure in both Lebanon and Israel. The conflict escalated after Hezbollah joined forces with Hamas in the Israel-Hamas war, leading to regular cross-border military exchanges.

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The situation remains dire, with entire communities forced to flee their homes and many more living in fear of the next attack.

Meanwhile, the World Food Programme (WFP) says the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has sparked “extraordinary concern” over Lebanon’s food supply.

The UN agency noted that 1,900 hectares of agricultural land has been burned in southern Lebanon over the past year, with most of these lands destroyed after Israel intensified its strikes last month.

Matthew Hollingworth, WFP’s country director in Lebanon, tells Reuters news agency: “We need the world to be more impactful and able to make the arguments that this cannot go on,” he says.

As the humanitarian crisis deepens, calls for a ceasefire and diplomatic efforts to end the violence grow louder.