War in Lebanon: Updates
- Oct 15, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Check in here for regular, short, 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:
March 7, 2026
The Israeli Defence 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.
