Following October 2023, Israel’s disproportionate bombardment and mass annihilation of Gaza led to another humanitarian crisis and widespread destruction in the South Lebanon border. The intense clashes have forced over a million people to flee their homes driven by relentless bombing, creating a systematic wave of displacement. Although a ceasefire is now in place, many of these displaced individuals remain far from their homes, where entire villages are left in ruins and uninhabitable. Thes IDPs are still not legally recognized and no clear strategy has been identified for their return, leaving thousands in a limbo of uncertainty, which is exacerbated by ongoing Israeli military presence in the South and by recurrent ceasefire violations.
This blog seeks to shed lights on how forced evacuations since 2023 have led to a de facto exile for many from South Lebanon. While Israeli authorities label these movements as “evacuations,” intended for safety and for a temporary period, the clear reality reveals a blatant violation of international law, as civilians have been forcibly pushed out from their homes without a viable path for restoring their lives, becoming victims of a systematic campaign of expulsion from their land and properties.
Nevertheless, in the past, Lebanon has faced periodic crises of internal displacement, stemming from conflicts, such as the Lebanese Civil War and subsequent Israeli invasions, as well as the Beirut Port Explosion of August 2020, which left around 300,000 people homeless. Unfortunately, government responses have often been inadequate. The lack of IDPs’ legal recognition, whether they are Lebanese citizens or refugees from Syria and Palestine, has contributed to the normalization of their “temporary” displacement, trapping many in a protracted narrative of neglect and marginalization, with no option to return, restitution or integration into new communities.
Barriers to legal recognition, economic constraints, and security concerns have transformed their experience of forced displacement into a permanent state of exile.
International humanitarian law, particularly Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, prohibits the forcible transfer of civilians except in specific circumstances, when absolutely necessary for their security and under specific conditions. Displacement should be temporary, with guaranteed rights to return. The Pinheiro Principles on Housing and Property Restitution further affirm that displaced persons have the right to reclaim their property or receive
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1.https://www.unocha.org/publications/report/lebanon/lebanon-humanitarian-fund-annual-report-2024
3.https://academic.oup.com/jrs/article/37/1/201/7329166
4.https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/ihl-treaties/gciv-1949/article-49
6.https://journals.sagepub.com/eprint/ZHN3E4SSPIN4BIITKUU5/full
adequate compensation. However, Lebanon lacks a national legal framework to address these rights, leaving many without recognition, restitution, or support. Despite these challenges, displaced communities have shown remarkable resilience, forming strong support networks. Neighbors and family members often come together to share resources in solidarity and provide mutual aid. Local religious and community organizations fill the gaps left by the government’s omissions, offering vital support. However, reconstruction efforts remain politically hindered and fragmented.
Conclusively, the ongoing Israeli military presence in the South, combined with the Lebanese government’s inaction and slow reconstruction efforts, perpetuates a state of exile for many displaced individuals. The normalization of displacement undermines IDPs’ ability to return or integrate and rebuild their lives. The prospect of return will continue to diminish, especially in the absence of resolution of the conflict and state-led restitution policies.
Recommendations:
A more robust legal framework should address the immediate needs of IDPs but also define the foundation for long-term solutions that promote dignity, stability, and resilience for displaced individuals and communities. To effectively address the crisis of forced displacement in Lebanon, the following recommendations should be supported and implemented to finally recognize IDPs rights and facilitate their path to return:
1. International commitment to pressure and ensure Israel withdraw from South Lebanon and end all violence that disrupt safety and right of populations in the region: This commitment to facilitate Israeli withdrawal from South Lebanon must encompass the cessation of military operations and the safeguarding and safety of local populations, ensuring that civilians can return and live without the threat of occupation and further conflict. So far, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mission has being playing an important role in monitoring the situation and maintaining a demilitarised buffer zone. However, the The UN Security Council’s vote to terminate it at the end of next year cast a shadow on Israel’s full withdrawal from Lebanon’s sovereign territory.
2. Establish Legally Binding Framework and Commitments: Encourage Lebanon to ratify and adhere to relevant international conventions that protect the rights of displaced persons, enhancing its legal commitment and accountability. The rights of displaced persons should be recognized and upheld, based on international human rights standards and humanitarian law, including the right to return and compensation for the lost property, as well as the Pinheiro Principles on housing and property restitution.
3.Develop Clear Policies for Return and Reintegration: Formulate and implement policies that outline the process for IDPs to return to their homes, including safety assessments and the restoration of services in affected areas. Establish reintegration programs that provide IDPs with the necessary support, while ensuring equal access to services, employment, and social benefits, with no discrimination among Lebanese citizens and refugee communities.
4. Implement Accountability and Reparations Mechanisms: Establish independent bodies to monitor the situation of IDPs, ensuring compliance with national laws and international standards. Develop systems that safeguard property rights and penalize those obstructing return through military occupation or political inaction. Create channels for IDPs to report violations of their rights, with guarantees of confidentiality and protection from retaliation.
5. Support Community Resilience: Invest in local initiatives that bolster community solidarity, enabling displaced individuals to share resources and rebuild their lives. Involve displaced communities in the decision-making processes regarding policies and programs that affect them, ensuring their voices are heard and considered. Facilitate dialogue between displaced individuals and local authorities.
6.Enhance International Engagement: Ensure adequate funding is allocated for programs aimed at supporting IDPs, including comprehensive reconstruction initiatives, healthcare, education, and livelihoods. Shift the international response from merely providing humanitarian aid to advocating for legal and political solutions that address the root causes of displacement.
By implementing these recommendations, we can work towards a more just and equitable future for displaced individuals in Lebanon, enabling them to reclaim their rights and restore their lives.
