Lebanon: Crisis of Civilian Protection (The Humanitarian Response Index 2007)

Both Lebanon and Israel suffered humanitarian reper- cussions from the 2006 July War in Lebanon between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Lebanese Party of God (Hezbollah).The ensuing humanitarian crisis was considered primarily one of “protection,” with a brief emergency phase, and significant internal displacement of civilians and infrastructure destruction.

This “Second Lebanon War,” lasted 34 days. A cease-fire between Hezbollah and IDF went into effect on 14 August. In early September, a strengthened UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL II) was deployed to ensure the cessation of hostilities.

Due to the disparate levels of destruction caused by the massive military response from Israel, international institutions, national NGOs, and foreign states attempted to relieve the devastation of Lebanon. Initially characterised by its rapidity and the emphasis placed on protection issues, international humanitarian aid also emerged as increasingly politicised, irrevocably affecting the neutrality and independence of implementing agents.