This article is published in association with United Nations.

Strikes and counter-strikes continue across the Middle East, with dozens of casualties reported over the weekend in Lebanon following Israeli strikes targeting the south and the capital, Beirut. Meanwhile, humanitarian needs are rising, critical infrastructure remains under strain, and the wider economic and global impacts of the crisis continue to mount. Stay with us for live updates from across the UN system. App users can follow coverage here.

Lebanon: WHO highlights displacement crisis inside collective shelters 

Thousands of displaced families in Lebanon are now living in schools and other buildings that have been turned into shelters where they face challenging conditions, including limited access to safe water, food, and essential health services.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is working closely with local authorities and partners to ensure they have access to care. 

Lebanon: UNDP launches a national campaign to promote solidarity and counter disinformation 

As Lebanon faces rising social pressures linked to ongoing hostilities and large-scale displacement, the Ministry of Information and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Dawaer Foundation, a local non-profit, have launched a national campaign to promote solidarity, counter disinformation and divisive narratives, and strengthen constructive public discourse.

Under the slogans “Together, We Stay Strong” and “Lebanon Recovers Through Its People”, the campaign highlights how communities across Lebanon continue to come together, while promoting reliable information and amplifying stories of solidarity at a time of heightened tensions and uncertainty.

UNDP

“Lebanon today is facing pressures that extend beyond displacement, uncertainty quickly giving rise to tension. At the same time, there are powerful examples of communities coming together supporting one another and choosing solidarity, empathy (humanism) and compassion over fear and division”, said UNDP Resident Representative in Lebanon, Blerta Aliko. 

With more than 1.2 million people displaced across Lebanon – many hosted in shelters and communities where services are already under strain – the campaign uses awareness videos, billboards, and media engagement to reach communities across Lebanon.Apr 6, 2026  10:00 PM

UN Middle East envoy to visit the region

Jean Arnault. UN Mission in Colombia (file)

The UN Spokesperson said that discussions continue around the new task force to ensure safe transit for humanitarian shipments of fertilisers and other material via the Strait of Hormuz.

Furthermore, the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on the Middle East conflict, Jean Arnault, is heading to the region today “and will be able to report more detail soon, likely tomorrow or the day after, on the list of countries that he will visit.”

Mr. Arnault was appointed on 25 March.  The veteran French diplomat has nearly 40 years of experience in international diplomacy, especially in the field of peaceful settlements and mediation.

He has led UN missions in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America, and most recently served as the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Afghanistan and Regional Issues.Apr 6, 2026  09:29 PM

UN underscores the need to protect civilian infrastructure

UN WebTV

During his regular briefing from New York, UN Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric reiterated the need for parties to the conflict to protect civilian infrastructure and uphold international law.

Mr. Dujarric was responding to a reporter’s question regarding a threat by US President Donald Trump to bomb power plants and bridges in Iran if the Strait of Hormuz is not re-opened on Tuesday.

“We were alarmed by the rhetoric seen in that social media post that threatened American attacks on power plants, bridges, and other infrastructure, should Iran not agree to a deal,” he said.

“The Secretary-General has been very clear on issues regarding international law, and he urges yet again all parties to abide by their obligations regarding the conduct of these hostilities,” the Spokesman continued.

No excuse for harming civilians

 “And he recalls that civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, may not be attacked; even if specific civilian infrastructure were to qualify as a military objective, international humanitarian law would still prohibit attacks against them if they may be expected to cause excessive incidental civilian harm.”Apr 6, 2026  09:08 PM

Lebanon: UNRWA ensures health services continue amid ongoing conflict

Just under half a million Palestine refugees in Lebanon are registered with UN agency UNRWA, which provides healthcare, education and other services to this population.

Gaza: UN agencies restore clean water after attack damages critical infrastructure

Meanwhile in Gaza, UNICEF and its partners have restored access to clean water in the south of the Gaza Strip following an airstrike on 25 March. The attack reduced output at the Southern Gaza Seawater Desalination Plant to less than 20 per cent of its capacity.

According to the UN relief coordination office, OCHA, around half a million people in Deir al Balah and the northern Mawasi area of Khan Younis were unable to fully access drinking water as a result, despite UN-backed efforts to deliver clean water by truck.Apr 6, 2026  08:13 PM

UNIFIL reports continued escalation, peacekeepers injured

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reports continued exchanges of rocket and artillery fire, airstrikes and ground clashes across southern Lebanon, alongside an increased presence of Israeli forces inside Lebanese territory.

According to UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, kinetic activity over the weekend was concentrated around Yatar and Bint Jbeil in Sector West and Al Qantarah in Sector East.

On Friday, an explosion inside a UN position near El Adeisse injured three peacekeepers, two of them seriously. The injured personnel were evacuated for treatment and are now reported to be in stable condition.

UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura, southern Lebanon. © UNIFIL (file photo)

Mr. Dujarric also reported that Israeli soldiers destroyed surveillance cameras positioned outside UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura. The cameras were used to monitor the immediate vicinity of the site and ensure the safety and security of civilian and military peacekeeping personnel.

“We urge all actors to uphold their obligations under international law and to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel at all times,” Mr. Dujarric said at his regular news briefing in New York.Apr 6, 2026  07:52 PM

Lebanon: Displacement rises as humanitarian needs deepen

More than 1.1 million people are now registered as displaced in Lebanon, with over 137,000 sheltering in nearly 700 collective sites – around one-third of them children, according to UN agencies.

Many others are staying in host communities or informal settings, often with limited access to basic services.

Displaced families at a makeshift camp in Beirut. © WFP

In response, UN agencies and humanitarian partners continue to scale up support. The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has provided fuel to keep water systems running, supplying more than 280,000 litres to pumping stations and wastewater facilities. Agencies have also distributed over three million meals and 65,000 food parcels since the escalation began.

However, access constraints and insecurity are leaving many without assistance, particularly those outside formal shelters. Humanitarians are calling for urgent de-escalation, protection of civilians and safe, sustained access to deliver aid, as funding for the response remains critically low.Show 10 moreShow all