Lebanese stockpile supplies amid war fears

Lebanese residents are packing emergency bags and charging electronic devices in preparation for a new wave of Israeli attacks. This anxiety follows a ceasefire announced in April that has not fully halted the sound of drones and detonations. Many people in areas previously targeted by intense bombardment are living in a state of limbo, waiting for a third major escalation since 2024.

The conflict has already claimed significant lives and territory. According to the Lebanese health ministry, Israel has killed approximately 9,000 people in Lebanon since October 2023. Most of these deaths occurred during escalations in the autumn of 2024 and in March and April 2026. Israel currently occupies up to 10 kilometres of territory in the south, an area it has designated as a Yellow Line. Below this line, Israeli forces continue to destroy towns and villages, rendering border areas uninhabitable for potentially years.

Aya, who lives in Abbasiyeh in southern Lebanon, described her family’s preparations. She has gathered extra medication for her grandparents in case access to pharmacies becomes difficult. Her family is also keeping food supplies and ensuring all electronic devices are charged. Aya stated that unlike the previous intensification in March, she plans to leave her home immediately if attacks resume. She said, "I don’t have the energy for this anymore." She expressed concern about the mental toll of another displacement while neighbors appear to carry on with normal lives.

Ramez, who lives in Beirut’s southern suburb of Haret Hreik, has not returned to his home in the Dahiyeh district since a neighboring building collapsed on his apartment in July 2024. He now resides in a second home about a half-hour drive southeast of Beirut. Ramez keeps his car’s petrol tank full and maintains a water supply for months. He said, "The war for me never really stopped." He noted that sleeping in his Beirut apartment causes him to hallucinate the building collapsing, a trauma he believes will persist even if the physical war ends.

Political analysts suggest that Israeli officials are building justification for another bombing campaign. Israel has accused the Lebanese army of failing to meet the terms of a US-brokered framework agreement signed in June. This agreement called for Israeli withdrawal from pilot zones and the Lebanese army disarming Hezbollah. The Lebanese army denies these accusations. Mohamad Bazzi, a Lebanese political analyst, said Israel does not need external instigation to continue its policy of destruction. He noted that Israel destroyed more of the south under the April ceasefire than it did before. Bazzi argued that Israel aims to make south Lebanon uninhabitable and punish the Shia community.

The economic situation in Lebanon adds to the tension. The World Bank reported in August that inflation is expected to rise to 17.5 percent this year. Analysts fear this economic crunch could lead to social instability. Bazzi said that as the cycle of conflict repeats, people exhaust their savings and goodwill. He warned that Lebanese society may blame Hezbollah and the broader Shia community for the ongoing war. Jad Dilati, an analyst from Nabatieh, noted that some families are paying rent for apartments in other regions to secure alternative accommodation. He described this safety measure as a privilege that not everyone can afford after three years of war.

US President Donald Trump has reportedly considered launching another round of attacks on Iran in coordination with Israel. Iran has warned it would retaliate against targets in the region if this happens. This development has raised questions about whether Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, will resume its own attacks against Israel. The potential for renewed conflict has left many Lebanese preparing for the worst, with a focus on quick escape routes and sustained basic needs.