Editing Lebanon (section)

=== National crisis (2019–present) ===
{{Main|17 October Revolution|Lebanese liquidity crisis}}
[[File:-i---i- (49140926886).jpg|thumb|The [[Second Arab Spring|2019 protests]] were non-sectarian, crossing the Sunni–Shia Muslim / Christian sociological and religious divide.]]
On 17 October 2019, the first of a series of mass civil demonstrations erupted;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/lebanese-protesters-close-roads-over-imposition-of-new-taxes/2019/10/17/d2f4482a-f116-11e9-bb7e-d2026ee0c199_story.html|title=Protests spread across Lebanon over proposed new taxes|author=Fadi Tawil|date=17 October 2019|newspaper=Washington Post|language=en|access-date=18 October 2019|agency=AP|archive-date=21 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021000630/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/lebanese-protesters-close-roads-over-imposition-of-new-taxes/2019/10/17/d2f4482a-f116-11e9-bb7e-d2026ee0c199_story.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2019/Oct-18/493775-protests-erupt-over-taxes-as-govt-races-to-wrap-up-budget.ashx|title=Protests erupt over taxes as govt races to wrap up budget|date=18 October 2019|journal=[[The Daily Star (Lebanon)|The Daily Star]]|access-date=18 October 2019|archive-date=31 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031204311/http://www.dailystar.com.lb//News/Lebanon-News/2019/Oct-18/493775-protests-erupt-over-taxes-as-govt-races-to-wrap-up-budget.ashx|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50095448|title=Lebanon scraps WhatsApp tax as protests rage|date=18 October 2019|access-date=18 October 2019|language=en-GB|archive-date=3 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603152934/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50095448|url-status=live}}</ref> they were initially triggered by planned taxes on gasoline, tobacco and online phone calls such as through [[WhatsApp]],<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2019/Oct-17/493723-lebanon-to-charge-6-on-whatsapp-call-report.ashx|title=Lebanese govt to charge USD 0.20 a day for WhatsApp calls|date=17 October 2019|journal=[[The Daily Star (Lebanon)|The Daily Star]]|access-date=18 October 2019|archive-date=9 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609153749/https://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2019/Oct-17/493723-lebanon-to-charge-6-on-whatsapp-call-report.ashx|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/protests-erupt-lebanon-plans-impose-taxes-191017194856354.html|title=Protests erupt in Lebanon over plans to impose new taxes|date=18 October 2019|website=aljazeera.com|access-date=18 October 2019|archive-date=25 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225124935/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/protests-erupt-lebanon-plans-impose-taxes-191017194856354.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/lebanon-whatsapp-tax-sparks-mass-protests/a-50880357|title=Lebanon: WhatsApp tax sparks mass protests|date=10 October 2019|website=DW|publisher=Deutsche Welle|language=en-GB|access-date=18 October 2019|archive-date=17 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917170317/https://web.archive.org/web/20200803054009/https://www.dw.com/en/lebanon-whatsapp-tax-sparks-mass-protests/a-50880357|url-status=live}}</ref> but quickly expanded into a country-wide condemnation of [[sectarian]] rule,<ref name=":2">{{cite web|url=https://reportsyndication.news.blog/2019/10/27/lebanon-protesters-find-strength-in-unity-ditched-sectarianism/|title=Lebanon Protesters Found Strength in Unity, Ditched Sectarianism|date=27 October 2019|website=Report Syndication|access-date=20 January 2020|archive-date=3 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803125404/https://reportsyndication.news.blog/2019/10/27/lebanon-protesters-find-strength-in-unity-ditched-sectarianism/|url-status=live}}</ref> a [[Lebanese liquidity crisis|stagnant economy and liquidity crisis]], unemployment, endemic corruption in the public sector,<ref name=":2" /> legislation (such as banking secrecy) that is perceived to shield the ruling class from accountability<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mtv.com.lb/en/News/Local/979920/Protesters_march_from_Al_Nour_Square_to_Central_Bank_in_Tripoli|title=Protesters march from Al Nour Square to Central Bank in Tripoli|date=22 October 2019|work=MTV Lebanon|access-date=26 October 2019|language=en|archive-date=26 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026131114/https://www.mtv.com.lb/en/news/local/979920/protesters_march_from_al_nour_square_to_central_bank_in_tripoli|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mtv.com.lb/en/News/Local/979923/Protesters_block_Karakoul_Druze-Mar_Elias_road|title=Protesters block Karakoul Druze-Mar Elias road|date=22 October 2019|work=MTV Lebanon|access-date=26 October 2019|language=en|archive-date=26 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026131115/https://www.mtv.com.lb/en/news/local/979923/protesters_block_karakoul_druze-mar_elias_road|url-status=live}}</ref> and failures from the government to provide basic services such as electricity, water and sanitation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-10-17/whatsapp-protests-erupt-in-lebanon-as-economic-crisis-deepens|title=Nationwide Protests Erupt in Lebanon as Economic Crisis Deepens|last=Khraiche|first=Dana|newspaper=Bloomberg.com|date=17 October 2019|publisher=[[Bloomberg News]]|access-date=18 October 2019|archive-date=27 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627164750/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-10-17/whatsapp-protests-erupt-in-lebanon-as-economic-crisis-deepens|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:WomenLine RiadElSolh 19Nov2019.jpg|thumb|Women protesters forming a line between riot police and protesters in Riad el Solh, [[Beirut]]; 19 November 2019]]
As a result of the protests, Lebanon entered a political crisis, with Prime Minister [[Saad Hariri]] tendering his resignation and echoing protestors' demands for a government of independent specialists.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the961.com/news/lebanese-protesters-addressed-president-aoun-with-an-urgent-demand/|title=Lebanese Protesters Addressed President Aoun with an Urgent Demand/|last=The961|date=1 November 2019|website=the961.com|language=en-EN|access-date=24 November 2019|archive-date=31 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231143854/https://www.the961.com/news/lebanese-protesters-addressed-president-aoun-with-an-urgent-demand|url-status=dead}}</ref> Other politicians targeted by the protests have remained in power. On 19 December 2019, former Minister of Education [[Hassan Diab]] was designated the next prime minister and tasked with forming a new cabinet.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50851319|title=Lebanon protests: University professor Hassan Diab nominated to be PM|publisher=BBC|access-date=20 January 2020|archive-date=21 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221083243/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-eas|url-status=live}}</ref> Protests and acts of [[civil disobedience]] have since continued, with protesters denouncing and condemning the designation of Diab as prime minister.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/hezbollah-backed-hassan-diab-lebanon-pm-191219155153401.html|title=Lebanese president asks Hassan Diab to form government|date=19 December 2019|access-date=2 January 2020|publisher=[[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]]|archive-date=17 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917170307/https://web.archive.org/web/20191219210501/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/hezbollah-backed-hassan-diab-lebanon-pm-191219155153401.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/roadblocks-lebanon-anger-rises-diab-pick-pm-191220091929392.html|title=Roadblocks across Lebanon as anger rises over Diab pick as PM|date=20 December 2019|access-date=2 January 2020|publisher=[[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]]|archive-date=21 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221083239/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/roadblocks-lebanon-anger-rises-diab-pick-pm-191220091929392.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2019/Dec-31/498331-day-76-new-years-revolution.ashx|title=Day 76: New Year's Revolution|date=31 December 2019|access-date=2 January 2020|newspaper=[[The Daily Star (Lebanon)|The Daily Star]]|archive-date=9 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200109131005/https://www.dailystar.com.lb//News/Lebanon-News/2019/Dec-31/498331-day-76-new-years-revolution.ashx|url-status=dead}}</ref> Lebanon is suffering the worst [[Lebanese liquidity crisis|economic crisis]] in decades.<ref name=":1">{{cite news |title=Lebanon Looks to China as US, Arabs Refuse to Help in Crisis |url=https://thediplomat.com/2020/07/lebanon-looks-to-china-as-us-arabs-refuse-to-help-in-crisis/ |work=The Diplomat |date=16 July 2020 |access-date=20 July 2020 |archive-date=14 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414030934/https://thediplomat.com/2020/07/lebanon-looks-to-china-as-us-arabs-refuse-to-help-in-crisis/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":3">{{cite news |title=The lights go out on Lebanon's economy as financial collapse accelerates |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/the-lights-go-out-on-lebanons-economy-as-financial-collapse-accelerates/2020/07/19/3acfc33e-bb97-11ea-97c1-6cf116ffe26c_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=19 July 2020 |access-date=20 July 2020 |archive-date=21 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321160915/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/the-lights-go-out-on-lebanons-economy-as-financial-collapse-accelerates/2020/07/19/3acfc33e-bb97-11ea-97c1-6cf116ffe26c_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Lebanon is the first country in the Middle East and North Africa to see its inflation rate exceed 50% for 30 consecutive days, according to Steve H. Hanke, professor of applied economics at the Johns Hopkins University.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lebanon becomes 1st country in Middle East and North Africa to enter hyperinflation|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/perfect-storm-lebanon-1st-country-middle-east-north/story?id=72028194|access-date=29 July 2020|website=ABC News|language=en|archive-date=14 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414031049/https://abcnews.go.com/International/perfect-storm-lebanon-1st-country-middle-east-north/story?id=72028194|url-status=live}}</ref> On 4 August 2020, [[2020 Beirut explosion|an explosion at the port of Beirut]], Lebanon's main port, destroyed the surrounding areas, killing over 200 people, and injuring thousands more. The cause of the explosion was later determined to be 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that had been unsafely stored, and accidentally set on fire that Tuesday afternoon.<ref>{{cite news|date=11 August 2020|title=Beirut explosion: What we know so far|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53668493|access-date=1 October 2020|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806025910/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53668493|url-status=live}}</ref> Protests resumed within days following the explosion, which resulted in the resignation of Prime Minister Hassan Diab and his [[Cabinet of Hassan Diab|cabinet]] on 10 August 2020, nonetheless continuing to stay in office in a [[Caretaker government|caretaker capacity]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 August 2020|title=Lebanon's government resigns after Beirut blast|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/mena/lebanon-s-government-resigns-after-beirut-blast-1.1061864|access-date=8 January 2022|website=The National|language=en|archive-date=5 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005034800/https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/mena/lebanon-s-government-resigns-after-beirut-blast-1.1061864|url-status=live}}</ref> Demonstrations continued into 2021 with Lebanese blocking the roads with burned tires protesting against the poverty and the economic crisis.

On 11 March 2021 the [[Ministry of Energy and Water (Lebanon)|caretaker minister of energy]] [[Raymond Ghajar]] warned that Lebanon was threatened with "total darkness" at the end of March if no money was secured to buy fuel for power stations.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Lebanon threatened with total darkness: Ghajar |url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2021/Mar-11/518336-lebanon-threatened-with-total-darkness-ghajar.ashx|access-date=11 March 2021|journal=The Daily Star|archive-date=11 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311201123/https://www.dailystar.com.lb//News/Lebanon-News/2021/Mar-11/518336-lebanon-threatened-with-total-darkness-ghajar.ashx|url-status=dead}}</ref> In August 2021, a [[2021 Akkar explosion|large fuel explosion in northern Lebanon]] killed 28 people.<ref>{{Cite web|date=15 August 2021|title=Lebanon fuel tanker explosion kills at least 28|url=https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20210815-lebanon-fuel-tanker-explosion-kills-at-least-20|access-date=15 August 2021|website=[[France 24]]|language=en|archive-date=22 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210822185953/https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20210815-lebanon-fuel-tanker-explosion-kills-at-least-20|url-status=live}}</ref>  September saw the formation of a [[Third Cabinet of Najib Mikati|new cabinet]] led by former prime minister [[Najib Mikati]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=10 September 2021|title=Lebanon forms new government, ending 13-month standoff|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/10/lebanon-forms-new-government-ending-13-month-standoff|access-date=8 January 2022|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=17 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217015213/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/10/lebanon-forms-new-government-ending-13-month-standoff|url-status=live}}</ref> On 9 October 2021, the entire nation lost power for 24 hours after its two main power stations ran out of power due to the currency and fuel shortage.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Mistich|first=Dave|date=10 October 2021|title=Power returns to Lebanon after a 24-hour blackout|language=en|work=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/10/10/1044911779/power-lebanon-outages-economic-crisis-fuel-shortages|access-date=17 October 2021|archive-date=14 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014182349/https://www.npr.org/2021/10/10/1044911779/power-lebanon-outages-economic-crisis-fuel-shortages|url-status=live}}</ref> Days later, [[2021 Beirut clashes|sectarian violence in Beirut]] killed a number of people in the deadliest clashes in the country since 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|date=14 October 2021|title=Gunbattles erupt during protest of Beirut blast probe; 6 die|url=https://apnews.com/article/hezbollah-middle-east-lebanon-beirut-explosions-56b61328f420caf4e259aeb3f428fb9a|access-date=25 October 2021|website=AP NEWS|language=en|archive-date=14 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014125530/https://apnews.com/article/hezbollah-middle-east-lebanon-beirut-explosions-56b61328f420caf4e259aeb3f428fb9a|url-status=live}}</ref> By January 2022, [[BBC News]] reported that the crisis in Lebanon had deepened further, with the value of the [[Lebanese pound]] plummeting and a [[2022 Lebanese general election|scheduled general election expected to be delayed indefinitely]].<ref>{{Citation|title=Lebanon enters the new year in a deepening crisis – BBC News| date=2 January 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXJ4uwcRgtE|language=en|access-date=8 January 2022|archive-date=2 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202062206/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXJ4uwcRgtE|url-status=live}}</ref> The postponement of parliamentary elections was said to prolong the political deadlock in the country. The [[European Parliament]] called Lebanon's present situation a 'man-made disaster caused by a handful of men across the political class'.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Situation in Lebanon: Severe and prolonged economic depression {{!}} Think Tank {{!}} European Parliament |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI(2022)729369 |access-date=25 April 2022 |website=www.europarl.europa.eu |language=en |archive-date=5 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005034803/https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI%282022%29729369 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 2022, Lebanon held its first [[2022 Lebanese general election|election]] since a painful economic crisis dragged it to the brink of becoming a [[failed state]]. Lebanon's crisis has been so severe that more than 80 percent of the population is now considered poor by the [[United Nations]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 September 2021 |title=Lebanon: Almost three-quarters of the population living in poverty {{!}} UN News |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/09/1099102 |access-date=6 June 2024 |website=news.un.org |language=en |archive-date=21 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721182059/https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/09/1099102 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the election the Shia Muslim [[Hezbollah]] movement (and its allies) lost their parliamentary majority. Hezbollah did not lose any of its seats, but its allies lost seats. Hezbollah's ally, President [[Michel Aoun]]'s [[Free Patriotic Movement]], was no longer the biggest Christian party after the election. A rival Christian party, the [[Lebanese Forces]] led by [[Samir Geagea]], became the largest Christian-based party in parliament. The Sunni [[Future Movement]], led by former prime minister [[Saad Hariri]], did not participate in the election, leaving a political vacuum for other Sunni politicians to fill.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chehayeb |first1=Kareem |title=After elections in Lebanon, does political change stand a chance? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/19/what-stands-next-for-lebanon-after-key-elections |work=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Chehayeb |first1=Kareem |title=Hezbollah allies projected to suffer losses in Lebanon elections |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/16/hezbollah-allies-projected-to-lose-seats-lebanese-parliamentary-elections |work=www.aljazeera.com |language=en |access-date=28 May 2022 |archive-date=5 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005034800/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/16/hezbollah-allies-projected-to-lose-seats-lebanese-parliamentary-elections |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Chehayeb |first1=Kareem |title=Hariri's absence leaves Sunni voters unsure ahead of Lebanon poll |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/4/lebanon-sunni-vote |work=www.aljazeera.com |language=en |access-date=28 May 2022 |archive-date=28 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528120724/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/4/lebanon-sunni-vote |url-status=live }}</ref> The Lebanese crisis became so severe that multiple boats left the coast holding migrants in a desperate run from the country. Many proved unsuccessful and fatal. In April 2022, 6 people died and around 50 people were rescued after an overloaded boat sunk in [[Tripoli, Lebanon|Tripoli]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Mello |first1=Charbel |last2=Kourdi |first2=Eyad |last3=Alberti |first3=Mia |title=Six drown off Lebanon coast after overloaded boat capsizes, says Lebanese navy |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/24/world/lebanon-migrant-boat-capsize-intl/index.html |access-date=30 April 2022 |website=CNN |date=24 April 2022 |agency=Reuters |archive-date=30 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130000108/https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/24/world/lebanon-migrant-boat-capsize-intl/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> And on 22 September, at least 94 people were killed when a boat carrying migrants from Lebanon capsized off Syria's coast. 9 people survived. Many were declared missing and some were found either dead or injured. Dead bodies were sent to nearby hospitals. 40 people are still missing as of 24 September.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Death toll from Lebanon migrant boat climbs to 73, minister says |url=https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/death-toll-from-lebanon-migrant-boat-climbs-to-73-minister-says-1.90782359 |access-date=23 September 2022 |website=gulfnews.com |date=23 September 2022 |language=en |archive-date=18 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018193049/https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/death-toll-from-lebanon-migrant-boat-climbs-to-73-minister-says-1.90782359 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 1 February 2023, the [[Banque du Liban|central bank]] of Lebanon devalued the [[Lebanese pound]] by 90% amid the ongoing [[financial crisis]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Bassam |first1=Laila |last2=Gebeily |first2=Maya |last3=Azhari |first3=Timour |date=31 January 2023 |title=Lebanon to devalue currency by 90% on Feb. 1, central bank chief says |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/currencies/lebanon-devalue-currency-by-90-feb-1-cbank-chief-says-2023-01-31/ |access-date=1 February 2023 |archive-date=30 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530223509/https://www.reuters.com/markets/currencies/lebanon-devalue-currency-by-90-feb-1-cbank-chief-says-2023-01-31/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This was the first time Lebanon had devalued its official exchange rate in 25 years.<ref name=":4">{{cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2023/2/1/lebanon-devalues-official-exchange-rate-by-90-percent |title=Lebanon devalues official exchange rate by 90 percent |date=1 February 2023 |website=Aljazeera.com |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=28 March 2023 |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326105032/https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2023/2/1/lebanon-devalues-official-exchange-rate-by-90-percent |url-status=live }}</ref> As of 2023, Lebanon is considered to have become a [[failed state]], suffering from chronic  poverty, economic mismanagement and a banking collapse.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/lebanon-struggles-to-emerge-from-financial-crisis-and-government-corruption |website=pbs.org |access-date=27 February 2024 |title=Lebanon struggles to emerge from financial crisis and government corruption |date=3 July 2023 |archive-date=13 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213163019/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/lebanon-struggles-to-emerge-from-financial-crisis-and-government-corruption |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Gaza war]] sparked a [[Israel–Hezbollah conflict (2023–present)|renewed Israel–Hezbollah conflict]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Gallant threatens Hezbollah: 'What we can do in Gaza, we can do in Beirut' |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-772795 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=11 November 2023}}</ref> Hezbollah has said it will not stop attacking Israel until Israel ceases its attacks in [[Gaza Strip|Gaza]].<ref>{{cite news |date=11 September 2024 |title=Mapping 11 months of Israel-Lebanon cross-border attacks |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/11/mapping-11-months-if-israel-lebanon-cross-border-attacks |work=Al Jazeera |access-date=18 September 2024 |archive-date=19 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919021145/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/11/mapping-11-months-if-israel-lebanon-cross-border-attacks |url-status=live }}</ref> Starting with the Israeli [[2024 Lebanon pager explosions|explosion of Lebanese pagers and walkie talkies]] in September 2024,<ref>{{cite news |title=Do Lebanon explosions violate the laws of war? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/18/do-lebanon-explosions-violate-the-laws-of-war |work=Al Jazeera |date=18 September 2024}}</ref> the conflict escalated severely,<ref>{{cite news |title=Israel rejects US-backed Lebanon ceasefire plan, hits Beirut again |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/lebanese-prime-minister-believes-ceasefire-between-israel-hezbollah-possible-2024-09-26/ |work=Reuters |date=26 September 2024}}</ref> with the [[September 2024 Lebanon strikes|23 September 2024 Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon]] killing at least 558 people,<ref>{{cite news |title=Israeli strikes cause deadliest day in Lebanon in nearly 2 decades. Here's what we know |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/24/middleeast/israel-strikes-lebanon-hezbollah-explainer-intl-hnk/index.html |work=CNN |date=24 September 2024}}</ref> and sparking a mass exodus from southern Lebanon.<ref>{{cite news |title=In Lebanon, a million people displaced in a country in chaos |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/10/02/in-lebanon-a-million-people-displaced-in-a-country-in-chaos_6728013_4.html# |work=[[Le Monde]] |date=2 October 2024}}</ref> On 27 September 2024, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was [[2024 Hezbollah headquarters strike|killed]] in an Israeli airstrike.<ref>{{cite news |title=Biden, Harris call Israeli killing of Hezbollah's Nasrallah 'measure of justice' |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/biden-harris-call-israeli-killing-of-hezbollah-s-nasrallah-measure-of-justice-/7803193.html |work=VOA News |date=28 September 2024}}</ref> On 1 October 2024, [[2024 Israeli invasion of Lebanon|Lebanon was invaded by Israel]] with the objective of destroying infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah in the south of the country.<ref>{{cite news |title=Israel-Hezbollah conflict in maps: Where is fighting happening in Lebanon? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9vp7dg3ml1o |work=BBC News |date=4 October 2024}}</ref> In November 2024, a [[2024 Israel–Lebanon ceasefire agreement|ceasefire deal]] was signed between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah to end 13 months of conflict. According to the agreement, Hezbollah was given 60 days to end its armed presence in southern Lebanon and Israeli forces were obliged to withdraw from the area over the same period.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lebanon ceasefire: What we know about Israel-Hezbollah deal |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2d3gj9ewxo |work=www.bbc.com |date=27 November 2024}}</ref> [[Fall of the Assad regime|The fall of Assad’s Baathist regime]] in Syria was  another blow to its Lebanese ally, Hezbollah, which was alredy weakened because of Israeli military actions.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rebeiz |first1=Mireille |title=Assad's fall in Syria will further weaken Hezbollah and curtails Tehran's 'Iranization' of region |url=https://theconversation.com/assads-fall-in-syria-will-further-weaken-hezbollah-and-curtails-tehrans-iranization-of-region-245606 |website=The Conversation |date=11 December 2024}}</ref> The Syrian regime change in December 2024 was said to start a new chapter in Lebanese politics.<ref>{{cite web |title=What Assad's Fall Means for Lebanon |url=https://www.usip.org/publications/2024/12/what-assads-fall-means-lebanon |website=United States Institute of Peace |language=en}}{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In January 2025, [[Joseph Aoun]], the Lebanese army commander, was elected Lebanese 14th [[President of Lebanon|president]] after a two-year vacancy.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Staff |first1=Al Jazeera |title=Who is Joseph Aoun, the new president of Lebanon? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/9/who-is-joseph-aoun-the-new-president-of-lebanon |work=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> In February 2025, Prime Minister [[Nawaf Salam]], former president of the [[International Court of Justice]] (ICJ), formed a new government of 24 ministers after two-year caretaker cabinet.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lebanon names new government after two-year caretaker cabinet |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/8/lebanon-names-new-government-after-two-year-caretaker-cabinet |work=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> On 26 February 2025,  Lebanon's government of  Nawaf Salam won a confidence vote in parliament.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lebanon's government wins confidence vote in Parliament |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2025/02/26/lebanon-s-government-wins-confidence-vote-in-parliament |work=Al Arabiya English |date=26 February 2025 |language=en}}</ref>