Lebanon


In southern Lebanon, UN peacekeepers continue to observe Israel Defense Forces (IDF) activities in its area of operations, including air strikes and ground military activities. In one such incident on 16 July, 20 IDF soldiers crossed north of the Blue Line and conducted military exercises near the village of Houla.

A report today by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) notes that there has been a sharp increase in the number of Afghans returning in adverse circumstances from Iran. Over 640,000 Afghans have returned from Iran since the implementation of a return deadline by Tehran on 20 March.

In Ukraine, food insecurity remains a concern in front-line and border regions. A recent assessment by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) found that the war has devastated livelihoods and quadrupled poverty levels, leaving those most vulnerable at greatest risk.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees estimates 2.5 million refugees worldwide will need to be resettled in 2026, down from 2.9 million in 2025, even as the global number of refugees continues growing. This is mainly due to the changed situation in Syria, which has allowed for voluntary returns.