GENERAL
The war has continued to escalate since early March 2026, with increasingly intense and widespread military operations affecting civilian areas across Lebanon. On 8th April 2026, Beirut and surrounding areas were hit by large-scale Israeli airstrikes that resulted in over 300 deaths and extensive destruction of civilian infrastructure, marking one of the deadliest escalations of the conflict. The strikes affected residential neighbourhoods and urban areas, causing mass civilian casualties and displacement.
On 14th April 2026, Lebanon and Israel took a significant diplomatic step by agreeing, during U.S.-mediated talks in Washington, to open direct negotiations for the first time in decades. The meeting, hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, brought together the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors to the United States and marked a breakthrough attempt to establish a structured dialogue between the two countries, which remain formally in a state of conflict. Both sides reportedly agreed in principle to continue negotiations at a later stage, with discussions expected to focus on security arrangements and the situation along the Lebanese-Israeli border.
A U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon entered into force on 16th April 2026, marking a temporary halt to hostilities and creating a framework for renewed diplomatic engagement between the two sides after a period of escalating cross-border violence. Initially established as a short-term truce, the agreement aimed to reduce tensions along the border and open space for negotiations on security arrangements and related issues. In May 2026, following further U.S.-mediated discussions, the ceasefire was extended by an additional 45 days, reflecting continued efforts to stabilise the situation and prevent a return to full-scale confrontation, although reports indicated that the truce remained fragile with violations on the ground, especially in South Lebanon.
Peaceful Assembly
On 10th April 2026, Hezbollah and Amal Movement supporters in Beirut held protests in central Beirut, in areas such as Riad al-Solh Square, where crowds gathered to oppose the government’s participation in U.S.-mediated negotiations with Israel in Washington. The demonstrations involved road blockages and large gatherings in key districts. While reaffirming the right to peaceful assembly, the army issued a warning to protesters against undermining peace, and stressed the need to avoid actions that could lead to internal unrest in an already highly volatile context, as the protest entered its second day.
In mid-May 2026, public mobilisations took place in response to parliamentary discussions on a draft general amnesty law. Following the approval of an amended version by parliamentary committees on 19th May 2026, demonstrations and sit-ins were reported in several regions, including Tripoli, Akkar, Arsal, and Khaldé in the southern suburbs of Beirut. The protests were organised mainly by families of Islamist detainees, who rejected the proposed text, arguing that it was unfair and discriminatory. The draft proposes a sentence of 28 years’ imprisonment for detainees sentenced to death, while those sentenced to life would have their sentences reduced to 17 years’ imprisonment. While several Islamist detainees could benefit from this new provision of the law, the proposed text also stipulates that the law will not apply if the relatives of murder victims do not waive their personal legal rights. The ensuing tensions contributed to the postponement of the parliamentary session scheduled to vote on the draft, reflecting ongoing political divisions surrounding the issue.
Expression
Journalists continue to be targeted and exposed to extreme risks because of the ongoing war. On 8th April 2026, two Lebanese journalists, Ghada Dayekh and Suzan Khalil, were killed in separate Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon. Dayekh, who worked with Sawt Al-Farah radio, died after a strike hit the building where she was staying in southern Lebanon, while Khalil, a reporter and presenter affiliated with Al-Manar TV and Al-Nour radio, was killed in another attack.
A few days later, another incident involving a journalist was reported in southern Lebanon. On 22nd April 2026, Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil was killed while covering the aftermath of Israeli airstrikes. She had initially been reporting near a site targeted by a strike when she sought shelter in a nearby house, which was subsequently hit, trapping her under the rubble. Another journalist present at the scene was seriously injured. Rescue teams were unable to reach Khalil immediately due to continued strikes in the area, delaying recovery efforts.
In response to similar incidents, United Nations human rights experts called for an independent international investigation into Israel’s military operations in Lebanon, expressing serious concern over reported attacks affecting civilians, including media workers. They stressed that journalists are protected under international humanitarian law and warned that repeated incidents of this nature raise issues of accountability and potential violations, urging states and relevant authorities to ensure evidence preservation and pursue justice through international mechanisms.
In the same period, on 17th April 2026 in Debbine (Marjayoun district, southern Lebanon), four journalists were physically assaulted while covering the return of civilians and documenting war-related destruction following a ceasefire entering into force. According to multiple reports, they were beaten by a group of men, insulted and accused of treason, and had their vehicles and equipment damaged.