Since 28 February 2026, the human toll of heavy air strikes by the US and Israel in Iran, and by Israel in Lebanon, often in densely populated areas, has continued to rise. In this KUNO session a situational report will be offered. It will provide a brief overview of political developments in Iran and Lebanon and will accordingly primarily focus on the humanitarian situation in Lebanon. However, the humanitarian effects cannot be separated from the military-political, to which the session will also pay attention. Few KUNO members are active in Iran and the information provision on the humanitarian situation there is limited.
The humanitarian situation in Lebanon is decreasing dramatically since attacks by Israel intensified sharply on 2 March 2026. The surge in violence represents the most serious deterioration in security conditions since the November 2024 ceasefire, deepening an already severe humanitarian and socio-economic crisis and placing immense strain on families, communities, and overstretched aid services. More than 1.2 million people are displaced, representing around 20% of the population, and their access to health care is disrupted. According to the Ministry of Health, 1,039 people have been killed, 12 percent of whom are children, between March 2 and 23. The situation in Lebanon is connected to the attacks on Iran. OCHA reported on 17 March that casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure in Iran were reported in at least 20 provinces, yet mostly in Tehran. Until then, over 1,200 people were killed, more than 17, 000 were injured and 54,000 civilian units were damaged.
This session aims to provide an update on the current humanitarian situation in Lebanon, and to the extent possible in Iran, to increase the understanding. It will give more insight into the humanitarian needs and response and the gap between those. It is organised at this crucial time to scale up the efforts and support a more coordinated response.
- Erwin van Veen, Senior Research Fellow, Clingendael’s Conflict Research Unit
- Benoit de Gryse, Director, Stichting Vluchteling
- Zeina Dimassi, Humanitarian Ecosystem Mapping & Capacity Facilitator
The session will be moderated by Nora Stel, Assistant professor, Centre for International Conflict Analysis & Management of Radboud University
Please register via kuno@kuno-platform.nl
– Picture Stichting Vluchteling, Wissam Fanach –
