Smoke rises in Beirut, Lebanon, following the outbreak of hostilities across the Middle East.
This article is published in association with United Nations.
Violence in the Middle East is continuing into a fifth day, with US and Israeli strikes against Iran and Iranian missile and drone attacks reported across several countries in the region. The escalating confrontation is disrupting airspace, transport and daily life while raising fears of a wider regional conflict. Follow our live coverage for real-time updates, reactions and humanitarian developments from across the United Nations system. UN News app users can follow the coverage here.
Highlights
- Children are increasingly bearing the brunt of the escalating violence, with an independent rights committee stressing they must never be treated as collateral damage.
- The UN Secretary-General is conducting intense diplomatic outreach to leaders around the region in search of de-escalation and an end to the conflict.
- With peacekeepers in Lebanon concerned over ceasefire violations by Hezbollah and the Israeli military, concerns are growing for civilian safety amid mass displacement.
- Hospitals and other health facilities have reportedly been damaged amid the conflict, raising concerns for medical workers and patients, the UN health agency WHO warns.
- The UN nuclear watchdog, IAEA, says latest satellite imagery shows no damage to nuclear facilities and “therefore no radiological release risk at this time.”
Production team: Vibhu Mishra and Matt Wells, with Daniel Johnson in Geneva4 Μαρ 2026 11:02 μ.μ.
On the move: Displacement surges across the Middle East
Fresh violence and cross-border tensions this week have driven new waves of displacement across the region, even as some borders remain open and movements elsewhere stay within normal patterns. Here is a snapshot of the situation as of 3 March, based on data from UNHCR and partners.
Iran: Departures from Tehran, borders stable
- An estimated 100,000 people left Tehran in the first two days following the attacks.
- Between 1,000 and 2,000 vehicles per day were reported departing the capital, mostly heading north.
- There has been no reported spike in cross-border movements linked to recent events.
- The Islam Qala crossing with Afghanistan remains stable.
Iraq: Targeted entry restrictions
- Bashmakh and Parwezkhan crossings are restricting entry for Iranian nationals.
- Only Iraqis already inside Iran may return to Iraq, and only Iranians already inside Iraq may return to Iran.
- Other crossings remain open.
- Movements remain consistent with normal patterns.
A young girl and her mother stand in a school turned into a shelter in Mount Lebanon.
© UNICEF/Fouad Choufany
Lebanon: 58,000 sheltering, more expected
- 58,000 people are sheltering across 320 collective sites.
- 52 sites are not yet at full capacity.
- Displacement from southern Lebanon is ongoing.
- Lebanese and Syrians are moving towards West and Central Bekaa and Baalbek-Hermel.
- Overall national displacement figures have not yet been released, and numbers are expected to rise.
Syria: Crossings triple daily average
- Nearly 10,000 Syrians and close to 1,000 Lebanese crossed into Syria on 2 March.
- Arrivals were reported from southern Lebanon and southern Beirut.
- This represents approximately three times the average daily crossings recorded since the beginning of Ramadan.
Türkiye and Armenia: Monitoring continues
- In Türkiye, border crossings remain open and movements are in line with usual patterns.
- In Armenia, the Agarak crossing is operating as normal.
- Movements observed there are lower in volume and largely linked to commercial activity.
Afghanistan: Conflict and internal displacement
- Heavy fighting has been reported around Torkham; the crossing remains closed and movements are limited.
- Humanitarian operations continue under heightened security measures.
- Activities at the Omari reception centre are temporarily paused; Takhtapul resumed operations on 2 March.
- According to preliminary data compiled by OCHA, an estimated 16,400 households have been displaced across Paktya, Paktika, Nangarhar, Kunar and Khost provinces.
Pakistan: Evictions and new internal displacement
- Crackdowns on undocumented Afghans have intensified in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and elsewhere.
- Evictions, raids, arrests and detentions are increasing, despite border closures limiting deportations.
- Following cross-border fire in Arandu, residents were relocated to Darosh, where an IDP camp has been established.
2,600 people have been registered at the camp, 63 per cent of them children.4 Μαρ 2026 09:47 μ.μ.
Force to settle disputes ‘must not become normalised’
Aid deliveries resume in Gaza but flow remains insufficient
Aid deliveries into Gaza have resumed, but the volume remains far below what’s needed, according to the UN relief coordination office (OCHA).
The Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Ramiz Alakbarov, welcomed the reopening of the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem crossing and the entry of critical supplies, including fuel.
Trucks carrying wheat flour, canned food and ready-to-eat rations were unloaded at the crossing, while UN teams also collected tents, medical supplies, hygiene items and baby products during coordinated missions with Israeli authorities.
Steady, predictable flow of supplies essential
However, Mr. Alakbarov stressed that maintaining a steady and predictable flow of supplies, in sufficient quantities, and resuming of medical evacuations is critical to alleviating the continued suffering of Gaza’s population.
Meanwhile, more than 900 displacement sites across Gaza are at risk of flooding, threatening hundreds of thousands of people already living in fragile shelters.4 Μαρ 2026 08:24 μ.μ.
Lebanon: Peacekeepers concerned over ceasefire violations on all sides
The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) says it’s seriously concerned over the Israeli demand for civilians to evacuate from their homes to north of the Litani river.
The mission also observed new rounds of rockets and missiles from Lebanese territory into Israel in violation of Security Council resolution 1701.
UNIFIL reiterated its call for all combatants to exercise maximum restraint “and redouble efforts to prevent the current situation from spiraling out of control.”
UN peacekeepers consult a map at an operations centre in Deir Kifa, Lebanon.
© French Army/Basile Pineau
Peacekeepers observed Israeli troops and activities in multiple locations inside southern Lebanon: “while Israeli airstrikes and other air activities continue.”
These not only violate resolution 1701 – which ended hostilities in 2006 between Israel and Hezbollah militants – but also Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
UNIFIL peacekeepers will remain on the ground and on task in south Lebanon and along the Blue Line of separation.
“Given the complexity of the situation, they have adapted their activities in support of resolution 1701, including, where possible, facilitation of humanitarian support and protection of civilians,” the mission said. 4 Μαρ 2026 08:11 μ.μ.
UN chief steps up diplomacy aimed at easing tensions
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has continued diplomatic contacts as tensions persist across the Middle East.
According to his Spokesperson, he met on Tuesday with Iran’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, reiterating his call for a swift end to the conflict and a return to dialogue in the interest of regional stability.
The UN chief also held talks with Oman’s Ambassador Omar Said Omar Al Kathiri, discussing the urgent need to halt the current military escalation and praising Oman’s role in mediation efforts.
Additional meetings with regional representatives are expected as the Secretary-General continues diplomatic outreach to help ease tensions.
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