Despite ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire among all parties involved in the regional conflict, Israel has continued to carry out incursions and airstrikes in Lebanon.

On April 8, in just eight minutes, more than 100 bombs were dropped across the country, including in the capital, Beirut. These attacks killed at least 357 people and injured 1,223 others, placing ceasefire efforts at serious risk.

Key Facts: Lebanon Crisis (2026)

Human Impact

• 2,167+ people killed since March 2
• 172 children among the dead
• 7,061+ people injured

Displacement & Access

• Southern Lebanon is now completely inaccessible
• Communities are cut off from essential services and humanitarian aid

What This Means for Civilians

The scale and intensity of these attacks are having devastating consequences for civilians. Families are being forced to flee with little warning, while others remain trapped in areas they cannot safely leave.

With southern Lebanon inaccessible, humanitarian organizations face significant barriers in delivering life-saving assistance. Access to food, medical care, and shelter continues to deteriorate as the conflict escalates.

JRS Response in Lebanon

JRS teams are actively responding to urgent needs by providing:

• Emergency shelter and basic assistance
• Food and essential supplies
• Mental health and psychosocial support
• Accompaniment for displaced individuals and families

As violence intensifies, thousands continue to seek safety in community spaces, including churches and informal shelters.

A Call for Peace and the Protection of Civilians

Grounded in Catholic social teaching, which affirms the inherent dignity of every human person, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) calls for the immediate protection of civilians and urges global leaders to pursue lasting peace through diplomacy rather than violence.

JRS expresses deep concern over the urgent need to ensure the safe and sustained delivery of humanitarian aid to those affected by ongoing violence in southern Lebanon. This includes individuals who have been forcibly displaced, whether Lebanese families driven from their homes or refugees and migrant workers impacted across the country.

Amid widespread destruction, JRS joins Pope Leo XIV in affirming that God does not answer the prayers of those who wage war. We echo his continued call for peace, dialogue, and an end to unnecessary destruction.