War in Lebanon: Updates
- Mar 7
- 18 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Check in here for short, weekly, updates on the war in Lebanon and how we're doing. Newest updates will be posted at the top.
For a map of where I am in relation to most airstrikes in Beirut, see my previous post:
April 22, 2026
Lebanon celebrated a much needed ceasefire agreement with the IDF last Thursday, April 16th. Almost immediately, displaced families started to pour back into the south, only to be stopped by both the Lebanese army and Hezbollah groups who insisted it is still not safe to return. The ceasefire is extremely fragile, and we're hearing about airstrikes on areas below the Litani River. Hezbollah and other groups have protested the Lebanese government's participation in peace talks as surrender or betrayal.
A notable development is the IDF's announcement of the creation of the "yellow line" in Lebanon. This a new military zone that stretches across all areas roughly 10km from the Israeli border. Interestingly, the IDF's maps of the yellow line includes sea areas as well, which means it can claim the disputed offshore Qana gas fields that have been the subject of previous US-mediated talks between Lebanon and Israel.
No one is allowed into the yellow zone, and there are reports of large scale demolitions and land-clearing operations of all settlements in the area. The yellow line zone includes Aalma, the beautiful little historic town, shared by Christians and Muslims, where Khalil used to preach. Speaking to church members of the Presbyterian church there, they believe that nothing of the village will be left. This is a special type of grief.
Khalil's family village in the Marjeyoun area is close to, but fortunately above, the line, as are the major cities of Tyre and Nabatieh. All bridges leading to Tyre have been destroyed, but there are a still a small number of bridges to Marjeyoun. So far one or two of Khalil's uncles have used the ceasefire to check on their homes, but most family members are staying away just in case the ceasefire falls through.
ABTS continues to host a smaller amount of families that are still not able to return to their families, such as those from Tyre. Last week the kids team held a wonderful sports tournament day for the families. MERATH is keeping up distributions of emergency aid to families who cannot return, or no longer have homes to return to.
As I write this, I am on my way back to Lebanon. I have been so grateful to have had the time to meet with several doctors and load up on vitamins and medicines in case of future shortages in Lebanon. I've also been so blessed by this short reunion with friends and family in Canada, but look forward to getting back to work when I land.
Please join me in praying that the ceasefire holds, giving more time for medical staff and other aid groups to get help to previously inaccessible areas, and also for families to recover bodies of loved ones in the rubble. Please also pray for the stamina and health of helpers entering into their third month of the war.
April 8, 2026
Yesterday a 2-week ceasefire was announced between the US, Israel, and Iran. The ceasefire was interpreted to include a pause in strikes on Lebanon as well. The news was warmly welcomed, and large crowds of people from the south began preparing to return to homes and family members.
Despite a statement from Pakistan’s prime minister declaring that the ceasefire includes Israel’s campaign in Lebanon, Israel was quick to insist that it does not. The IDF sent out mass messages to Lebanese citizens reinforcing the imposed clearances of southern Lebanon and southern Beirut, and as such the Lebanese army has closed many roads heading south in order to keep crowds from targeted areas.
Earlier this afternoon, around 2pm Beirut time, the IDF carried out the largest and most intense wave of strikes that Lebanon has seen so far. Within the span of 10 minutes over 100 sites were hit across the country. Many hit central Beirut and Christian mountain areas. Multiple hospitals in Beirut have declared mass casualties in what the Lebanese government is calling a ‘massacre’. Current reports estimate 357 people were killed and over 1000 were injured.
The story is quickly developing; you can follow these BBC or Al Jazeera threads for updates.
Please pray for Lebanon. Here are immediate requests:
For Beirut Baptist School in central Beirut, currently used as an aid distribution site. It had strikes land extremely close. Please pray for the safety and stamina of the staff and aid workers there.
For the safety of peacekeepers and first responders in a context where many medical personnel, journalists, and rescue workers have been targeted.
For the efficacy of hospitals and health care workers, may they have all the assistance and supplies they need.
For peace and mercy for Lebanon.
Personal update: I arrived in Canada this past weekend for a short trip home. Khalil and I are expecting, and I hope to give birth in Canada this September. As such, I needed to return home to meet with doctors and get things in place for having the baby. It is difficult to be away from Lebanon during this time and I hope to return in a couple weeks. My sincere thanks for all who have reached out and offered support!
March 30, 2026
Situation updates
Most airstrikes were again limited to the south this week, where fighting between Hezbollah armed groups and the invading IDF forces is escalating. Now we usually see one or two strikes on Beirut per day. One such strike hit an apartment down the hill from where I work. Another significant hit killed 3 journalists outside the tourist town of Jezzine. Meanwhile, Hezbollah continues to send more rockets into northern Israel, killing one Israeli civilian and injuring more than 25 so far.
Israeli planes have scaled up the practice of breaking the sound barrier while flying low over cities, and there were a good number this weekend. The sonic boom created is terrifying – it shakes houses and feels like an airstrike is happening next door. The practice is solely for psychological intimidation and is especially hard on kids.
Over the weekend, Prime Minister Netanyahu announced orders to “expand the existing security buffer zone”, potentially as far north as the Litani River (see map below to see where this river is in contrast to the current border). Based on statements from far-right members of the government calling for full annexation of southern Lebanon, many fear this is the start of re-drawing Israeli-Lebanese borders. What this will means for Lebanese citizens still living within the ‘security buffer zone’ is unsure.
We are hearing from church members still living in Tyre that they are becoming concerned as to where their supplies will come from. With ongoing destruction of bridges along the Litani River, it is getting more difficult to get supplies to the city, and no link to supply routes to Israel have been established at this point. As of last week, when the IDF destroyed the major highway bridge linking Tyre and Sidon, the city had enough supplies to support residents for 2 months. Please pray for the million of people still displaced and living in limbo.
There are no issues accessing supplies north of Saida, so we, and Khalil’s family, still feel safe and able to get the things we need.
Crisis response
To date, MERATH has distributed 6,000 mattresses, 7,600 blankets, 1,000 hygiene kits, 6,000 tracksuits and jackets, 3,000 bags of diapers, 5,000 bags of feminine pads, 3,000 pairs of socks and underwear. That's a big impact for a small NGO like MERATH! It's only made possible by partners like CBM, which in turn exists because of supporters like you. So a great big thank you to you all!
Last week MERATH’s education specialists held psycho-social support sessions for kids and parents. We talked about things like how war-related stress impacts people differently, and how to go about discussing war with kids. My brilliant colleague Mirna and I put together lots of great crafts and activities to teach kids about the brain’s stress response and how we can work with our bodies to calm and care for ourselves.
And as teased in the last update… we had a talent show! It was a huge success – most ABTS guests attended and a big handful of Thimar and MERATH staff pitched as MC’s, judges, sound people, and silly game volunteers. The room was filled with joy. One little girl shared a picture she had drawn of the conference centre. When asked why she chose that subject to draw, she said “because this place protected us when no one else would.” Even the most stoic members of my MERATH team had a little moisture in their eyes after that. It’s always tricky figuring out what tone our events should have when there is so much suffering outside, but it seemed like taking a break for laughter was the right choice this time.
March 23, 2026
Crisis updates
Over 1000 in Lebanon have been killed, including 118 children and 40 healthcare workers, and 2,584 wounded.
The number of registered IDPs has now surpassed 1 million, or 20% of the population.
Official shelters country-wide are 90% full. Many families are still sleeping on the street despite recent severe dust, rain, and hailstorms.
The huge amounts Lebanese territory still under forced displacement order make up a big part of Lebanon's 'bread basket' and agricultural heartland. Destruction in these areas will have far reaching impacts on food production.
This week Hezbollah scaled up their strikes on Israel and ground fighting around its border, which meant even more intense IDF attacks in response. While strikes on Beirut were limited, there was a spike in destruction of civilian infrastructure including bridges, schools, and medical centres in the south. Significantly, yesterday the IDF destroyed a major bridge on the main highway connecting Tyre and Sidon. Residents of the south can still travel back and forth, but routes available are becoming increasingly limited and risky. Such bridge attacks are assumed to preclude a much larger Israeli land invasion.
Several of Khalil’s cousins with small kids made the decision to evacuate this week, but most of his relatives in the south remain despite the risk. Khalil and I, as well as his parents in Saida, still feel safe to remain in our homes. Pierre, Khalil’s brother, lives closer to the occasional strikes on central Beirut and may come stay with us in Antelias.
Crisis response
MERATH continues aid distributions throughout the city. However most of Thimar’s resources are now going towards housing displaced families at the ABTS guesthouse, which now has a waitlist just as big as current capacity. Check out the video below for a closer look at the ministry:
Note on video: People of all faiths, including Muslims, are welcomed as guests at the centre. Faith-based worship or prayer times as well as Bible story times for kids are completely optional.
One staff member estimated that the costs taken on by ABTS to house, feed, and provide power for the 200+ residents (also factoring in lost revenue from potential event bookings) is close to $130,000 a month. Given this week’s strikes on bridges to the south, it is even less likely that families will be able to return to their homes any time soon. That means at some point ABTS will face the hard decision to close their doors to guests. The need is urgent - if you know of anyone who may be interested in giving, we would so appreciate you passing on this link to CBM’s appeal page.
As difficult as it is to provide for the families, we know the situation is much harder on the families themselves. It isn’t easy to have your life on hold and spend long, repetitive, days without work or school. Therefore staff from across Thimar’s ministries are pitching in to help run programming for the adults and children in an effort to break up the days and help care for minds and hearts under tremendous stress. In addition to running games for children during teaching times, I am working with my MERATH colleagues develop psycho-social support sessions for both parents and kids. These sessions use trauma-aware materials similar to what we developed for the ‘Brain Body Smarts’ teacher training last year.
Photos (1) MERATH mattress distributions to low income neighbourhoods where many displaced people are sheltering. (2&3) Leading activities for displaced children living at ABTS. I am explaining an activity using frozen water balloons to explain how fear can make our minds and bodies feel 'frozen', and gentle ways we can help them 'thaw'. (4) A child shows his craft connecting the range of emotions we feel to Joseph's colorful coat.
Thanks to my tenacious and well-connected office mates, we were also able to convince the guesthouse to let us hold a Talent Show! The kids are extremely excited and have been eagerly practicing their performances. Stay tuned for photos.
March 14, 2026
Here are quick updated statistics on the conflict:
774 Killed, and 1933 injured, including 103 children
14% of the land mass of Lebanon is under mandatory evacuation orders
800,000+ people are formally registered as ‘displaced’ (IDPs), which is a 7th of the population. Likely many more are not registered.
Only 128,000 IDPs are housed in the 600+ formal shelters set up in schools, stadiums, etc. Demand far outweighs available spaces.
Beirut saw especially severe strikes this week. There were also occasional strikes on Christian or downtown areas, including hotels and universities, which were previously considered ‘safe’. The bloodiest strike so far was on a car parked in the downtown waterfront area where hundreds of IDPs shelter on the streets. At least 8 were killed and more than 31 injured. Israeli planes have dropped thousands of leaflets threatening destruction in Lebanon similar to Gaza, and encouraging residents to give information on Hezbollah locations. Yesterday the IDF destroyed a bridge in the south and threatened to target more civilian infrastructure.
In a new escalation, the IDF has now ordered blanket evacuation of all regions south of the Zahrani River (just 5 miles from Saida), not only the Litani River. Many Christian villagers below this line still refuse to leave, despite mourning the death of a well-known priest who was killed when he rushed to a building that had been hit to help the survivors. Residents of Aalma al Shaab (a border town where Khalil has preached) have been forced to leave, as incoming IDF groups plan to make the town a new base for the land invasion.
The areas surrounding our home and Khalil's and my offices are still calm; we hear only the loudest strikes from our home. The airport and hospitals are open and there are no issues finding food, medicine, or gas, although prices are spiking due to the war in Iran.
Crisis Response
MERATH is scaling up distributions of emergency aid. Based on what we’re hearing from churches, we have added underwear, diapers, sanitary pads, and hygiene kits (soap, toothpaste etc.) to our aid deliveries. The guest rooms at ABTS are maxed out, as is the Saida church shelter Khalil is coordinating. Khalil completed a long trip from the Bekaa valley to Saida to pick up and deliver supplies to the shelter. This turned out to be a day with heavy strikes along his route, and we’re grateful he arrived safely. Please pray for all those driving dangerous roads to get supplies to the people who need them!
As for my work, this week I began the first of my shifts coordinating volunteers from the Living Room ministry to help out at a local organization cooking food for the displaced. I hope to volunteer 2-3 times a week. I also began, alongside Thimar staff, running activities for displaced children living at ABTS. The stories and games are designed to help kids become aware of and process their emotions. I plan to lead activities twice a week as well.
Photo (1, 2) Me with a volunteer group scooping lentil salad and mloukhiyeh (stewed spinach and chicken). (3) Songs with displaced children at ABTS.
I am grateful that detention centres are still allowing visitors, and I was able to visit on Wednesday. The women there were anxious for news as they hear strikes from the prison and many have friends and family living in targeted areas.
New appeal from CBM!
CBM has now launched an appeal for the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon. You can now donate specifically to support housing displaced people at ABTS or purchase emergency supplies for partner churches across Lebanon. If you’re interested, head to CBM's donate page and scroll down to “Lebanon – Conflict Relief”. Praying for matching funds from the Canadian government soon.
March 7, 2026
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has ordered mandatory evacuation of huge parts of Lebanese territory, including east Bekaa Valley and the entire area south of the Litani River, including major cities of Sour (Tyre) and Nabatiyeh. On Thursday afternoon the IDF further ordered evacuation of Beirut's southern suburbs - the most densely populated area in all of Lebanon - and surrounding neighborhoods.
Photo (1) Evacuation order texted to Beirut residents, translated. (2 & 3) Maps of evacuation orders and strikes since March 2, photos courtesy of Reuters.
This is a significant increase in the severity of the conflict. In 2024 the IDF targeted specific buildings, and often sent a warning 30 minutes to an hour before the strike. These large scale evacuation orders are new. The sheer number of people ordered to evacuate with very little warning is mind-boggling - some reports estimate 250,000 from south Lebanon and 800,000-1 Million from the Dahye suburb alone. To complicate things for displaced people, the IDF forbade those forced from Beirut to travel south or risk being targeted by drones. Many Christian areas to the east and north have put up check points to dissuade or block those fleeing from Shiite areas from entering. They fear that IDF attacks will follow those fleeing, as occurred in 2024 and again recently. Three days ago several people were injured when a hotel in Hazmieh (a Christian area) was hit in an apparent assassination attempt on Shiite individuals staying there. Both factors severely limit the number of areas to which Shiite people can flee.
Evacuation orders have sparked panic across the city. On Thursday roads were blocked with traffic for hours, and central areas such as Gemmazye and Hamra became further filled with displaced people sleeping in cars or on the street. In fears that forced clearances were precursors to the IDF using much more powerful bombs on the evacuated areas, local groups released lists of neighbourhoods that could experience shattered windows from a much larger blast radius. Mansourieh (the area where ABTS and Thimar offices are located, and where I work) was on that list. We are grateful that a large strike of that nature or 'carpet bombing' has not occurred so far. Dahye has been hit hard, but in targeted strikes. The same evacuation orders were issued again today, so we remain praying against large scale destruction.
Many Christians from communities in the south have chosen to stay regardless of the evacuation orders. We have heard of groups sheltering in churches or town squares as they await the Israeli land invasion. Many fear that, if they leave, they will return to demolished homes and businesses, or will not be permitted to return at all. Such a land invasion could mark the start of a long-term Israeli occupation seeking to form a permanent 'buffer zone' between Lebanon and Israel. In the words of a senior leader at Thimar, "we've lost the south".
Many Evangelical pastors previously at a conference remain stranded in Dubai - the airport was once again hit today. Please continue to pray for Lebanon and our region.
I've been once again impressed by the scale and efficiency of Thimar's response, as it continues to ramp up. Guestrooms are ABTS are at near capacity hosting displaced people, including those from the south and from the Bekaa. By the day after the first airstrikes on Beirut, my teammates at MERATH had distributed over 1000 blankets and mattresses purchased in preparation for a situation like this. Many supplies are going to Beirut Baptist School, which is again functioning as a distribution site due to it's proximity to evacuation areas. We pray for the safety of those working there - earlier this week parts of the property were damaged when a crowd of over 200 people seeking shelter broke into the school complex.
The need is great, and will continue to be long after the bombs stop. If you are interested in contributing to the relief efforts, you can donate here, selecting Lebanon under the "Donate to a Country" option: https://www.cbmin.org/donate-2-2/
I am again supporting MERATH's work in relief project proposal and report development, and I plan to help coordinate volunteers at a local soup kitchen related to my work with the Living Room ministry. Khalil is busy coordinating an emergency shelter at his home church in Saida, and also handling further relief work for the Presbyterian church. Please also pray for wisdom for Khalil and I as we consider the opportunity to evacuate which CBM has offered me. Khalil would not leave due to the importance of his work on the ground.
Salam,
Evie
March 2, 2026
As most will be aware, this week joint US and Israeli strikes on Iran have set off domino effects of large-scale violence throughout the region. At 3am this morning we were woken by the sounds of heavy airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs. Many villages in southern Lebanon and parts of the Bekaa valley were also hit heavily by IDF airstrikes.
These hits were conducted allegedly in retaliation for rockets targeting Israeli bases sent by Hezbollah, also in retaliation for Israel's part in the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Iran. The IDF has released a long list of communities in south Lebanon that they intend to target and have instructed Lebanese residents in these areas to evacuate immediately. Today we are seeing highways clogged with displaced people, echoing what Lebanon experienced in October 2024.
While the airstrikes on southern Beirut are continuing this morning, we are grateful that, so far, no critical infrastructure such as the airport, bridges, or ports have been hit. I believe the airport is still open, although most flights have been cancelled or delayed.
Thimar, CBM's partner and my home organization here in Lebanon, has already started to prepare its respond. The Arab Baptist Seminary is readying its conference centre to once again receive displaced families. MERATH is in communication with partner churches and is assessing our capability to get emergency relief to the displaced.
My gratitude to all who have reached out to check on us. Khalil and I, as well as all our coworkers, are in safe areas. CBM is in constant communication with our MENA team and is ready to support us should we need to relocate.
At this time I ask for your prayers for the Middle East. A coworker shared a prayer that resonated with me:
I No Longer Pray for Peace
by Ann Weems
"On the edge of war, one foot already in,
I no longer pray for peace:
I pray for miracles.
I pray that stone hearts will turn
to tenderheartedness,
and evil intentions will turn
to mercifulness,
and all the soldiers already deployed
will be snatched out of harm’s way,
and the whole world will be
astounded onto its knees.
I pray that all the “God talk”
will take bones,
and stand up and shed
its cloak of faithlessness,
and walk again in its powerful truth.
I pray that the whole world might
sit down together and share
its bread and its wine.
Some say there is no hope,
but then I’ve always applauded the holy fools
who never seem to give up on
the scandalousness of our faith:
that we are loved by God...
that we can truly love one another.
I no longer pray for peace:
I pray for miracles"
November 28, 2024
Yesterday a 60-day ceasefire agreement signed by the IDF and Hezbollah came into effect. Airstrikes in Beirut have stopped, however there are intermittent strikes within southern regions close to the border.
October 28, 2024
Situation Updates:
Airstrikes continue to pound the border areas, the suburbs of Beirut, and the Bekaa valley on a daily basis.
Last weekend was especially brutal for the historical southern city of Tyre. We have frequently visited a refugee school and church there. The IDF bombed a large and densely populated part of the city (see photo below). Thankfully most of the people we know evacuated safely ahead of time, but many of their homes were destroyed or are now unsafe to live in. Please pray for them.
Photo Source: BBC
Two weeks ago a building in the northern village of Aitou was struck by IDF airstrikes, killing 24 people, including women and children. The strike is significant as this region is predominantly Christian and has little to no Hezbollah presence, therefore was considered ‘safe’. However, a Shiite group from the south with possible Hezbollah ties fled to the village and was given refuge. The airstrike targeted the Shiite individuals yet also killed multiple unrelated families in the building.
Events like these are making ‘safe’ communities resistant to accept fleeing families. We fear that this could fuel tensions between religious and political groups and lead to unintended civil conflicts. Please pray for peace, mercy, unity, and wisdom.
Response Updates:
ABTS continues to host numerous families. Resources to feed the families are being used up quickly, and ABTS is in urgent need of more donors.
MERATH has been approved for new grants from CBM and Canadian Food Grains Bank (CFGB) to continue our emergency relief efforts. Praise God!
Each week I am volunteering with community kitchens cooking food for the displaced. One of them is FoodBlessed. Al Jazeera filmed a short (5 min) video spotlighting their work.
Khalil continues to coordinate distributions with Compassion Protestant Society (CPS) alongside local church youth. Here is a summary video put together by Pierre, Khalil’s brother.
Photo: Khalil connected with this little boy (9 years old) and his mother at a church-run shelter in Zahle. They had to flee their home in Tyre carrying only the clothes on their backs. With the help of a donor Khalil was able to give the mother money to buy clothes for her son. This is the sweater he picked out for himself!
There is one week left to have your donations to Lebanon matched by the Canadian government! Find out more.
October 14, 2024
Photo source: THIMAR
Situation Updates:
Thursday night IDF drones hit two apartment buildings in central Beirut. Strikes outside south Beirut are rare, therefore concerning, as northern areas have been considered 'safe' for displaced people.
Fighting has intensified close to the border and the major city of Nabatiyeh. As of last week, IDF ground forces are regularly entering Lebanese territory and clashing with Hezbollah armed groups.
On Friday IDF forces attacked and injured UN personnel part of UNIFIL (a UN peacekeeping force posted at the border since Israel first invaded Lebanon in 1978). Al Jazeera posted an article explaining why this is a big deal.
Response Updates:
MERATH is working hard to find mattresses and pillows for shelters despite shortages. Here's a great summary video of the response so far.
THIMAR staff have started providing full mornings of daily programming for children staying at ABTS.
If you haven’t already heard, the Canadian government is now matching donations to Lebanon through organizations like CBM via the Canadian Grains Foodbank. Every donation made before November 3rd will be matched! Find out more.
Prayer Request:
MERATH supports a preschool in a Bekaa valley refugee tent settlement, called "Little Friendly Space". It holds a special place in our hearts. Just a month ago our team threw a big graduation party for the 60 little tykes who attend (photos below).
Today we learned that the pre-school, and the attached home of the woman who runs the centre, was destroyed by a nearby airstrike. Here are before and after photos:
We thank God that no one was in the building at the time, but we are devasted by photos of the destruction. Please pray for the children and their families, as well as the teachers who are now without homes.
