How Israel’s destruction of south Lebanon is making displacement permanent

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that the displacement crisis in Lebanon, driven by Israel’s intensified war and renewed attacks in the south, is becoming increasingly entrenched more than six months into the conflict. The article says the number of displaced people has fallen from a peak of more than 1.2 million in April to about 330,000, according to the International Organization for Migration, but aid officials warn that many returns remain unstable and could be reversed if fighting resumes.

The report describes heavy damage across southern Lebanon, where Israel has reinvaded since March 2026 and now occupies more than 50 villages, according to the article. It says the war has killed more than 4,380 people and destroyed homes, shops, warehouses and infrastructure, especially in towns near the border and along the so-called “Yellow Line.” Some residents have gone back to damaged or ruined homes, while others are living in schools, rented apartments or temporary sites.

UNHCR and the Norwegian Refugee Council are quoted warning that repeated displacement is eroding savings, livelihoods and support networks. Al Jazeera notes that many people are moving between locations rather than settling, and that humanitarian concerns now include not only shelter and food but also debris removal, repairs, public services and work opportunities.

The article argues that unless security improves and reconstruction begins, displacement in Lebanon may remain long-lasting, particularly for border communities that may not be able to return at all.