Country Risk Report
Lebanon
Beirut
Arabic (official), French and English widely used
Lebanese pound (LBP)
Executive Summary
Lebanon is classified as a HIGH risk destination and has been ravaged by the 2026 Lebanon war. After Hezbollah resumed strikes on Israel amid the regional conflict in early 2026, Israel launched intense airstrikes across Lebanon, including Beirut and the Beqaa Valley, and a ground operation in the south. By mid-April more than 2,000 to 2,500 people had been killed and over a million displaced, and Israel established a self-declared control line in the south. A series of US-mediated ceasefires from April 2026, including a June framework deal, have reduced but not ended the fighting, with near-daily Israeli strikes reported in the south and Hezbollah rejecting demands for full disarmament. The Lebanese government under President Joseph Aoun has condemned Hezbollah's unauthorised strikes and moved to bring weapons under state control, and direct Lebanon-Israel talks have opened, but the situation remains volatile. Lebanon also faces a deep economic collapse dating from 2019, with currency, banking and service breakdowns, alongside the presence of armed groups, sectarian tensions, a large refugee population, and landmine and unexploded-ordnance contamination in the south. Beirut still bears the scars of the 2020 port explosion. Cover for Lebanon is available on request only. Standard travel insurance is invalid, and travel is viable only for critical purposes with specialist security support and comprehensive war-risk, evacuation and kidnap-for-ransom insurance in place.
Risk Matrix
| Category | Risk Rating | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| Armed Conflict | High | Active Israel-Hezbollah war with fragile, frequently violated ceasefires and a southern control line. |
| Terrorism | High | Militant activity, bombings and the risk of attacks amid the conflict and sectarian tension. |
| Kidnapping | High | Abduction risk from armed groups and criminal actors, elevated in the south and Beqaa. |
| Crime | High | Rising crime driven by economic collapse, including theft and armed robbery. |
| Civil Unrest | High | Protests and unrest linked to the war and economic crisis. |
| Health & Medical | High | The health system is strained by war and economic collapse. Serious cases require evacuation. |
| Internal Travel | High | Strikes, checkpoints, the control line and damaged infrastructure constrain movement. |
| Digital / Cyber | Moderate | Surveillance and monitoring; connectivity disrupted by conflict and shortages. |
Essential Precautions
Security Situation
Lebanon is a volatile conflict environment, with the 2026 war having caused heavy casualties and displacement. The main dangers are Israeli strikes and operations, particularly in the south and Beqaa, alongside economic collapse, armed groups and sectarian tension. Fragile ceasefires have reduced but not ended the violence.
Beirut and Mount Lebanon
South Lebanon
The Beqaa Valley
The North and Tripoli
Detailed Risk Assessment
Armed Conflict
The 2026 Lebanon war between Israel and Hezbollah has caused thousands of deaths and mass displacement. Fragile, frequently violated ceasefires are in place, with near-daily Israeli strikes in the south, a self-declared Israeli control line, and Hezbollah rejecting full disarmament.
Beirut has been struck, including the southern suburbs.
South Lebanon is the main theatre of ground operations and strikes.
The Beqaa has been heavily targeted.
The north has seen less direct conflict but remains at risk.
Terrorism
Militant activity, bombings and the risk of attacks persist amid the conflict and sectarian tensions, and the presence of multiple armed actors raises the threat. Crowded areas and political or sectarian flashpoints are potential targets.
Beirut faces bombing and attack risk amid tension.
South Lebanon faces conflict-related violence.
The Beqaa faces militant and smuggling-related violence.
The north and Tripoli face sectarian-related risks.
Kidnapping and Detention
Abduction risk comes from armed groups and criminal actors, elevated by economic desperation and the conflict, and is highest in the south, Beqaa and Hezbollah-controlled areas. Foreigners should avoid these areas and never move without vetted support.
Beirut carries abduction risk, elevated in Hezbollah areas.
South Lebanon carries a high abduction risk amid conflict.
The Beqaa carries a high abduction risk in smuggling areas.
The north carries a lower but real abduction risk.
Crime and Lawlessness
Economic collapse has driven a sharp rise in crime, including theft, armed robbery and carjacking, and policing is strained. Criminal and armed networks operate, particularly in the Beqaa.
Beirut has seen rising theft and armed robbery.
South Lebanon has crime compounded by conflict.
The Beqaa has entrenched smuggling and armed crime.
The north has rising crime amid hardship.
Internal Travel
Movement is constrained by strikes, checkpoints, the southern control line and damaged infrastructure, and Beirut airport and routes can be disrupted. The south and Beqaa should be avoided, and overland exit contingencies should be planned.
Beirut has functioning but disruption-prone transport and airport.
South Lebanon movement is dangerous and restricted.
The Beqaa has hazardous routes.
The north has comparatively easier but strained movement.
Health and Disease
The health system, once strong, has been badly weakened by economic collapse and the war, with shortages of staff, medicines and power. Serious cases may require international evacuation, and capacity is strained during escalation.
Beirut has the best facilities, but they are strained and short of supplies.
South Lebanon has facilities disrupted by conflict.
The Beqaa has limited services.
The north has strained facilities.
Cultural and Religious Sensitivities
Lebanon is religiously diverse, with a delicate sectarian balance that the war has strained. Political and sectarian topics are highly sensitive, and travellers should be discreet, dress modestly outside cosmopolitan areas, and defer to local guidance.
Beirut is diverse and cosmopolitan but sectarian sensitivities remain.
South Lebanon is a Hezbollah-influenced, conservative area.
The Beqaa is mixed and sensitive.
The north and Tripoli have significant sectarian sensitivities.
LGBT Travellers
Same-sex relationships face legal ambiguity and social hostility, and the environment has grown more hostile amid crackdowns and the conflict. LGBT travellers should exercise discretion, including over digital content, particularly outside cosmopolitan Beirut.
Landmines and Unexploded Ordnance
South Lebanon retains extensive landmine and unexploded-ordnance contamination from previous wars, compounded by fresh ordnance from the 2026 conflict, including unexploded munitions in strike areas. Travellers must stay strictly on paved surfaces and established routes.
Mount Lebanon has localised legacy contamination.
South Lebanon is heavily contaminated with old and new ordnance.
The Beqaa has contamination in struck areas.
The north has limited contamination.
Diplomatic and Government Situation
The government under President Joseph Aoun has condemned Hezbollah's unauthorised strikes and is seeking to assert state control over weapons, and direct Lebanon-Israel talks have opened, but the state is weak, Hezbollah remains armed, and the economic crisis constrains governance. Consular support is limited during the conflict.
Beirut hosts the government and diplomatic presence.
South Lebanon is heavily Hezbollah-influenced and conflict-affected.
The Beqaa is a Hezbollah stronghold in parts.
The north has weaker state reach and sectarian dynamics.
Digital and Cyber Threats
Communications can be monitored, and connectivity is disrupted by conflict and by power and infrastructure shortages linked to the economic collapse. Device scrutiny can occur, and sensitive content or affiliations can create risk in conflict areas.
Beirut has functioning but disruption-prone connectivity.
South Lebanon has conflict-disrupted connectivity.
The Beqaa has variable connectivity.
The north has variable connectivity amid shortages.
Vaccinations & Health Hazards
Strongly Recommended
- Hepatitis A and Typhoid
Recommended due to food and water risk amid infrastructure strain.
- Hepatitis B and Tetanus
Recommended given trauma risk and strained care.
- Measles (MMR)
Ensure boosters are current given outbreak risk.
- Poliomyelitis
Recommended given regional circulation.
Other Health Hazards
- Water and power: Economic collapse has disrupted water and power, raising health risks.
- Trauma capacity: Trauma care is strained. Carry a trauma kit and pre-arrange evacuation.
- Food and water hygiene: Practise strict hygiene amid infrastructure strain.
- Medicine shortages: The economic crisis has caused medicine shortages; carry your own supply.
- Routine vaccines: Ensure all primary courses and boosters are up to date on the UK schedule. Consult a health professional four to six weeks before departure.
Choosing the Right Insurance
Standard travel insurance is invalid for Lebanon. Cover is available on request only and must be specialist war-risk insurance covering emergency medical evacuation, security extraction, repatriation and kidnap-for-ransom response. Policies may exclude the south, the Beqaa and Hezbollah areas and require pre-travel approval.
Annex A - Key Risk Dynamics
Checkpoints and Detention Triggers
State forces, Hezbollah and other groups operate checkpoints with different conduct. Israel maintains a self-declared control line in the south. Carry original documents and a verifiable purpose. Do not photograph military, Hezbollah or installations.Kidnapping and Detention Dynamics
Armed groups and criminal actors abduct for ransom and leverage, elevated in the south and Beqaa. Most abductions occur in transit and in Hezbollah-influenced areas. Economic desperation has increased opportunistic abduction and crime. Locally hired staff may pass movement details to hostile actors.High-Risk Travellers
Leisure travellers have no support structure amid an active war. Journalists and aid workers operate in a hazardous, targeted environment. Unaccompanied individuals face heightened risk at checkpoints and in conflict areas. First-time hostile-environment travellers are unlikely to manage strike, mine and checkpoint risks.Annex B - Key Preparation & Checklists
Essential Preparation and Medical
Travel only for critical purposes with specialist security support and war-risk insurance covering evacuation and K&R. Keep an alternate exit plan given airport and route disruption. Establish extraction and evacuation plans before arrival and carry a trauma kit. Plan for a cash economy given banking collapse.Digital Security and Checkpoints
Travel with clean devices and enable remote wipe. Clear sensitive imagery, mapping data and affiliations. Turn off geolocation and cloud sync. Plan for connectivity and power outages.Movement and Operational Security
Avoid the south and Beqaa where operations, strikes and the control line concentrate. Avoid the southern suburbs of Beirut and Hezbollah strongholds. Stay strictly on paved surfaces in the south. Expect state and Hezbollah checkpoints.Conduct and Legal Compliance
Avoid political and sectarian topics. Dress modestly outside cosmopolitan areas and defer to local guidance. Never photograph military, Hezbollah or installations.This report is provided for information only and does not constitute travel or security advice. Ratings are indicative and subject to change without notice. Confirm current conditions with Hotspot Cover before any deployment.
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