Lebanon Death Toll Since March 2 Crosses 3,000 as Israeli Strikes Kill 5 More

Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health officially reported that the cumulative death toll from Israeli military operations since March 2, 2026 had crossed 3,000 — a grim milestone in a conflict that began with Israel's renewed offensive following the expiry of diplomatic ultimatums. At least 5 people were killed in fresh Israeli air attacks across southern and eastern Lebanon on May 18 alone. The 3,000 figure does not separate combatant and civilian casualties, as Lebanon's health ministry records all killed in Israeli strikes. Hezbollah does not publish its own fighter casualty figures. The IOM meanwhile reported that over 596 collective displacement sites remained active across Lebanon, sheltering 128,200+ internally displaced persons, with 87% of the over 1 million displaced living outside organised shelters in the homes of friends, relatives, or in informal settings.