Following the outbreak of conflict in Gaza on October 7, 2023, tensions have been escalating along the Blue Line – a 120-kilometre demarcation line established by the United Nations in 2000.
Over the past 11 months, it is estimated that there have been more than 6,000* strikes, with shells fired into the country on a daily basis.
According to United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 90 villages have been affected, displacing nearly 112,000 people. The relentless bombardment has also destroyed or damaged around 1,700 buildings and devastated more than 1,200 hectares of agricultural land, depriving landowners of their livelihoods and further weakening Lebanon’s already fragile economy.
In a region already grappling with explosive ordnance contamination from decades of historic conflict, this new wave of destruction has exacerbated an already critical situation. MAG Lebanon estimates that up to 20% of the explosive ordnance used in the recent attacks may have failed to detonate, significantly increasing the risk of accidents, particularly for civilians returning to their homes and fields.
The threat of white phosphorus
The weaponry used includes white phosphorus which is a chemical substance dispersed in artillery shells, bombs and rockets that ignites when exposed to oxygen. Its incendiary effect can inflict death or cruel injuries that result in lifelong suffering, while inhalation of white phosphorus smoke can lead to serious medical conditions. It can set homes, agricultural areas, and other civilian infrastructure on fire.
White phosphorus contamination can be difficult and dangerous to deal with, requiring specialist skills and equipment. Its impact on the environment and agricultural land can be serious and long-lasting.
MAG’s response
The outbreak of the conflict has forced MAG to suspend its operations in the south of the country and close its main base in order to keep staff safe, many of whom have had to leave their homes in towns and villages that have been attacked.
Under the coordination and with the support of the Lebanon Mine Action Center, operations have since resumed elsewhere in the country, with teams working to clear historic UXO contamination in areas close to Chouf, Jezzine and in West Beqaa.
In the months following October 7, innovative emergency risk education campaigns were launched to advise residents of the dangers of unexploded ordnance, including the risks of harm from white phosphorous. These campaigns were delivered through in-person sessions, the use of billboards, leaflet distribution and digital activity using Facebook, TikTok and WhatsApp groups.
Some of the activity was designed to target people displaced by the conflict, and more than 1,200 in-person sessions have so far reached more than 15,000 displaced people. At least 1.8 million people have been reached by MAG’s digital risk education messaging.
Looking ahead, MAG is preparing to address the new contamination once it’s safe to do so. This includes training MAG’s own staff as well as other demining teams at a range of humanitarian mine action operators to handle white phosphorus and respond rapidly to dangerous contamination in communities.
By partnering with the Lebanon Mine Action Center, MAG is ensuring that it can respond effectively to the ongoing crisis, helping to rebuild communities and restore safety in Lebanon as soon as possible.
*The figures presented above will be updated once active conflict ceases, access is granted to affected areas, and in accordance with non-technical survey findings.
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