List of massacres in Lebanon

The following is a list of massacres that have occurred in Lebanon:

Antiquity Era

Name	Date	Location	Deaths	Victims	Perpetrators	Notes
Siege of Tyre (332 BC)	332 BC	Tyre	2,000	Tyrians	Ancient Macedonian army	2,000 Tyrians crucified on the beach by Alexander the Great's army

Medieval Era

Name	Date	Location	Deaths	Victims	Perpetrators	Notes
Mamluk Offensive against Jobbeh	May – August 1283	Northern Mount Lebanon (specifically Ehden, Hadat, Hasroun, Hadchit and Bsharri).	Several thousand killed; thousands more displaced to Cyprus and the Qadisha caves.	Maronite Christians	Mamluks	After decades of Maronite resistance against the Sultanate, Mamluk forces launched a massive siege on the northern strongholds. The campaign culminated in the fall of the mountain fortress of Hadat.This event led to the capture and execution of Patriarch Daniel of Hadshit, the leader of the resistance. It marked the end of Maronite political autonomy in the North for centuries and forced the population to seek refuge in the inaccessible heights of the Qadisha Valley. [1]
Mamluk "Scorched Earth" Kisrawan Campaign	July, 1305	Kisrawan Heights and the surrounding Mount Lebanon range.	thousands	Maronite & Druze populations.	Mamluks	Following several failed attempts to subdue the mountain, the Mamluk Sultanate launched a massive "scorched earth" expedition with 50,000 soldiers. The goal was to eliminate "heterodox" groups accused of aiding Crusader and Mongol interests. [2]

Ottoman Era

Name	Date	Location	Deaths	Victims	Perpetrators	Notes
Ottoman Invasion of Mount Lebanon	1585	Chouf District & Keserwan District	Estimated several thousand civilians killed; 600 villages burned.	Maronite Christians & Druze	Ottoman troops	Following a robbery of an Ottoman tax convoy (the "İbrahim Pasha Incident"), the Sultan sent a massive punitive expedition under the Governor of Egypt. The army engaged in a "scorched earth" policy, destroying the infrastructure of the Druze Mountain. This event led to the death of Emir Qurqumaz Ma'an (the father of the famous Fakhr-al-Din II) and forced a total reorganization of the mountain's feudal system. It is one of the earliest examples of Ottoman central authority using mass violence to break the autonomy of Lebanese emirs. [3]
Massacre at Lehfed 1820	1820	Lehfed, Byblos District	Estimates of 50–100 prominent villagers and hundreds of homes destroyed.	Maronite Christians	Forces of Emir Bashir Shihab II supported by Ottoman troops	During the Ammiyya (commoners') uprisings against the heavy taxation of Emir Bashir II, the Emir’s forces—supported by Ottoman irregulars—launched a brutal crackdown on the village of Lehfed, which had become a center of peasant resistance. It was a rare instance of "intra-sectarian" massacre, where a Christian ruler used violence against his own Maronite subjects to maintain his tax collection rights for the Ottoman Sultan. [4]
Deir al-Qamar Massacre 1841	October - November, 1841	Deir al-Qamar, Chouf District	1,000–1,500	Maronite Christians	Druze militias	This was the first major explosion of sectarian violence in the modern era. After a dispute over hunting rights, Druze fighters besieged the town. Ottoman authorities remained neutral or actively assisted in the disarmament of Christians, who were then attacked. This event signaled the collapse of the "Double Qaimaqamate" (the administrative division of the mountain) and served as the direct psychological precursor to the much larger 1860 Civil War. [5]
The Sectarian Conflict of 1845 (Mallaqa & Zahleh)	May – June, 1845	The Matn, the Chouf, and the Bekaa (specifically Mallaqa and Zahle).	Estimated several hundred deaths; dozens of villages burned.	Maronite Christians	Druze militias	This was a period of systemic tit-for-tat killings that followed the failed 1841 partition. In the Bekaa, the town of Mallaqa was attacked, and Zahleh was besieged. The Ottoman military often intervened only after Christian villages were already disarmed and vulnerable. This conflict proved that the "Double Qaimaqamate" (the administrative division of Lebanon into two sectarian sectors) was a failure. It directly led to the total social breakdown that caused the 1860 Civil War. [5]
Hasbaya Massacre	June 11, 1860	Hasbaya	~1,000	Maronite Christians	Druze militias	Approx. 1,000 Christian refugees who had sought protection in the Shihabi Serail were slaughtered by Druze forces. The massacre occurred after the Ottoman garrison commander, Osman Bey, disarmed the Christian population under the pretext of providing security. [6]
2nd Deir al-Qamar Massacre 1860	June 20–21, 1860	Deir al-Qamar, Chouf District	1,200 — 2,200	Maronite Christians	Druze militias	Occurred despite a signed truce. The town was looted and burned, and the male population was largely executed. This event prompted the 1860 French expedition to Lebanon. [7]
1860 Mount Lebanon civil war	July 9–11, 1860	Beirut and Damascus, Syria	7,000–25,000	Christians	Ottoman troops, Muslim mobs, Druze militias, Kurdish irregulars.	During the 1860 Civil conflict in mount lebanon, Large massacres of Christians at Deir al-Qamar, Hasbaya, and Rashaya took place with Druze casualties as well. Many Christians fled to Damascus, where Muslim mobs with the help of rogue Ottoman troops and minimal Druze involvement massacred several thousand Christian civilians; 326 villages, 560 churches, 28 colleges, 42 convents, and 9 other religious establishments were completely destroyed.
The Great Famine "Silent Massacre"	1915–1918	Mount Lebanon Mutasarrifate	100,000–200,000 (approx. 1/3 of the population).	The general population of Mount Lebanon (predominantly Maronite and Druze)	Ottoman troops	While a natural locust plague occurred, the Ottoman Fourth Army under Jamal Pasha imposed a total land blockade, prohibiting grain from entering the mountain. This was coupled with the requisitioning of local livestock and the cutting of woods for railway fuel. This is remembered in Lebanese collective memory as a deliberate attempt to decimate the population to prevent a pro-French uprising. It led to the massive waves of Lebanese emigration to the Americas and Australia. [8]
Execution of Arab nationalists	May 6, 1916	Beirut and Damascus, Syria	23	Arab Nationalists	Ottoman Empire (Djemal Pasha)	On May 6, 1916, Jamal Pasha publicly executed simultaneously seven Arabs in Damascus and fourteen in Beirut for alleged anti-Turkish activities. The date, May 6, is commemorated annually in both countries as Martyrs' Day, and the site in Beirut has come to be known as Martyrs' Square.

French Lebanon Period

Name	Date	Location	Deaths	Victims	Perpetrators	Notes
Ain Ebel massacre	May 5, 1920	Ain Ebel	50–100	Christians	Shia Muslims and pro-Faisal gang	Mahmoud Bazzi's gang, which "proceeded from brigandage to confronting France and its Christian friends in the south," attacked Ain Ebel on May 5, 1920, pillaging and killing more than 50 people. The people of Ain Ebel defended the town from sunrise to sunset until they ran out of ammunition. The town was completely destroyed, and the damage done to the two churches, school and convent, was evidence of sectarian malice.
Rashaya revolt massacre	November 1925	Rashaya	Hundreds	Christians	Druze	The anti-French revolt's expansion into Lebanon and stories of massacres targeting local Christians sparked worry among the Christians of southern Lebanon. [9] Around 400 Christian homes in Rashaya were either damaged or destroyed in the fighting.
Tripoli student massacre	November 13, 1943	Tripoli	14	Student protesters	French-Senegalese soldiers	The students were struck by French tanks driven by Senegalese soldiers while participating in a peaceful march through the streets. During the demonstration, the students were fervently advocating for an end to the occupation. [10] [11] [12] [13] All the victims were under the age of 15.

Independent Lebanon

Name	Date	Location	Deaths	Victims	Perpetrators	Notes
Hula massacre	October 31, 1948	Hula	35–58	Lebanese	Carmeli Brigade, Israel Defense Forces	Hula, located in Lebanon, was captured on October 24 by the Carmeli Brigade of the Israel Defense Forces without any resistance. The women and children were expelled, most of the men aged between 15 and 60 were shot. In total between 35 and 58 men were executed in a house which was later blown up on top of them. [14]
Miziara massacre	June 16, 1957	Miziara	30	Douaihy clan	Frangieh clan	Sleiman Frangieh and his followers killed 30 loyalist to the Douaihy family in a church in Miziara. Victims included nuns, priests, women and children. [15]
Zgharta/Tripoli Clashes	May-June, 1958	Tripoli, Zgharta, North Lebanon	20-40	Lebanese Christians	Pro-Nasserist Militias, Lebanese Muslims	Armed clashes between pro-government Zgharta-based groups and Tripoli-based opposition forces. While primarily military, the conflict involved localized massacres of non-combatants and "identity-based" abductions along the transit routes. [16]
Tripoli Christian Executions	June, 1958	Tripoli	~20	Lebanese Christians	Pro-Nasserist Militias, Lebanese Muslims	During the 1958 uprising, opposition (Nasserist) militias targeted Christian residents in several Tripoli neighborhoods. The violence included summary executions and forced displacement of families perceived as loyal to the Chamoun government. [17]
Beirut/Basta Bombings	July – Aug, 1958	Basta & Hamra Beirut	40-60	Lebanese Christians	Pro-Nasserist Militias, Lebanese Muslims	A series of indiscriminate bombings and small-scale massacres in the Basta and Hamra districts. These attacks were aimed at civilian gathering points to exert political pressure during the deadlock between the Maronite-led government and the United Arab Republic-backed rebels. [18]

Pre-Civil War Period

Name	Date	Location	Deaths	Victims	Perpetrators	Notes
Araya/Kahale Incident	March 24–26, 1970	Kahale & Araya, Baabda	10-15	Lebanese Maronite Christians	Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), PFLP (Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine) & Palestinian As-Sa'iqa militants	Palestinians began firing their weapons at the local Christian villagers during a funeral procession for a Palestinian militant (killed in a separate clash) passing through the village of Kahaleh. A firefight erupted that lasted for two days, involving machine guns and grenades. [19]
1973 PLO Conflict	May 2–18, 1973	Beirut South Lebanon	300+ killed & 700+ wounded	Lebanese Army	Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), PFLP (Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine) & DFLP Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine	Triggered by the kidnapping of two Lebanese Army corporals by Palestinian militants, the conflict escalated into full-scale urban warfare. For the first time, the Lebanese Air Force used Hawker Hunter jets to rocket Palestinian positions in the refugee camps around Beirut. [20]
Dekwaneh Massacre	April, 1974	Dekwaneh	20	Lebanese Maronite Christians	Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) PFLP (Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine)	Palestinian fighters from the nearby Tel al-Zaatar camp launched an assault on the Dekwaneh town center. The attack involved shelling residential buildings and direct fire into the streets. [21]

Civil War Period

Name	Date	Location	Deaths	Victims	Perpetrators	Notes
Church shooting	April 13, 1975	Ain El Remmaneh, Beirut	4	Christians	Palestine Liberation Organization ( PFLP)	Drive-by shooting assassination attempt on Pierre Gemayel outside a church ceremony. Gemayel survived but four men were killed.
Bus massacre	April 13, 1975	Ain El Remmaneh, Beirut	27	PLO	Kataeb Party	On the morning of 13 April 1975, PLO gunmen in a speeding car fired on a church in the Christian East Beirut suburb of Ain el-Rummaneh, killing four people, including two Maronite Phalangists. Hours later, 27 Palestinian civilians traveling in a bus through one of the Ain el Rummaneh neighborhoods of Beirut were attacked and killed by Christian Phalangists. Many more people were killed in subsequent fighting in other areas of the city later that day. Together, these incidents have been identified by several historians as the starting point of the Lebanese Civil War.
Black Thursday	May 30, 1975	Bachoura, Beirut	30–50	Christians	Palestinians	The bodies were abandoned in a Muslim cemetery, with possible intention of provoking a sectarian message, close to the Green Line separating East and West Beirut, all with their genitals mutilated off. [22]
Qa'a Massacre 1975	July 7, 1975	Qaa, Beqaa Governorate	7	Christians	Palestinians and Lebanese Shia Muslims	Location: Qa’a, Northern Beqaa. ​Aggressors: Local Shi’a tribesmen and Palestinian As-Sa`iqa militants. ​Casualties: 7 civilian fatalities. ​Significance: This attack marked the definitive start of Christian flight from the area. [22]
Zahle Massacre	August 24, 1975	Zahle	26	Christians	Palestinians and Lebanese Shia Muslims	Trigger Events: The death of a Syrian individual from Saadnayel and an armed clash between local Shia/Palestinian As-Saiqa forces and the Lebanese Army. ​Escalation: The skirmish transformed into a full-scale sectarian conflict between Muslim and Christian groups within the city and its suburbs. ​Tactics: The use of heavy weaponry, including rockets and machine guns, as well as systematic "identity-based" abductions and summary executions. ​Casualties: 26 deaths. [22]
Haouch El-Omara Massacre	August 28, 1975	Haouch El-Omara, Zahle	3	Christians	Palestinians and Lebanese Shia Muslims	​Location: Haouch El-Omara (a suburb of Zahleh) and the primary transit road connecting Chtaura to Baalbeck. ​Casualties: 3 individuals killed and 9 others wounded. ​Primary Perpetrators: Identified as As-Sa'iqa (a pro-Syrian Palestinian Ba'athist militia) and local allied Shia gunmen. [22]
Saadnayel Massacre	August 28-29, 1975	Saadnayel, Zahle	13	Christians	Palestinians and Lebanese Shia Muslims	Discovery: Three victims found in a vehicle within the predominantly Muslim town of Saadnayel. ​Cause of Death: Targeted gunfire (shot in the heart). ​Route: The victims were intercepted while traveling on the Zahleh-Tarchich-Baskinta road, a strategic link connecting the Beqaa Valley to the Mount Lebanon region. ​Intensity: A total of 13 fatalities were recorded over the two-day span, reflecting the rapid escalation of sectarian violence in the area. [22]
Zahle Massacre	August 30-31, 1975	Zahle	24	Christians	Palestinians and Lebanese Shia Muslims	A 48-hour period of intense violence resulting in 24 deaths. Perpetrators: Shia Militants from neighboring Muslim villages allied with Palestinian As-Sa'iqa commandos. [22]
Taalabaya Massacre	September 1, 1975	Taalabaya, Zahle	11	Christians	Palestinians and Lebanese Shia Muslims	Target: A Christian-owned mill in Taalabaya, a town strategically located in the Beqaa Valley. ​The Abduction: A group of gunmen seized the owner and his five children. ​The Aftermath: Discovery of 11 victims in total, confirming the systematic execution of at least three of the miller's sons. ​The Survivor’s Testimony: The miller, released a year later, provided harrowing evidence of torture and physical mutilation. [22]
Deir Ashash Massacre	September 1, 1975	Deir Ashash, Zgharta	3	Christians	Palestinians and Lebanese Sunni Muslims	Victims: Three elderly priests (ages 93, 87, 60). ​Location: Deir Ashash monastery, North Lebanon. [22]
Beit Mellat Massacre	September 10, 1975	Beit Mellat, Akkar	15–25	Christians	Palestinians and Syrians	Between five and eight civilians were killed, and ten more disappeared. Also, the militiamen burned down homes and the church, and stole several cars. [22]
Tel Abbas Massacre	October 9, 1975	Tel Abbas, Akkar	15	Christians	Palestinians and Lebanese Muslims	Casualties: 15 killed, 9 kidnapped. ​Property Damage: Destruction of a church and 40 homes. ​Political/Religious Context: Lebanese Muslim perpetrators with involvement of the PFLP. Greek Orthodox victims with Lebanese Communist Party affiliations. ​Aftermath: Forced migration of the Christian population toward the Syrian border. [22]
Black Saturday	December 6, 1975	Beirut	300–350	Muslims, Druze	Kataeb Regulatory Forces	Four young Christian Phalangists were assassinated on the Fanar (Matn) road in Beirut. In retaliation, Phalangists murdered hundreds of non-Christians. It is estimated that more than 300 civilians were murdered in what was the first ethnic cleansing of the Lebanese Civil War.
Taalabaya Massacre	December 31, 1975	Taalabaya, Zahle	35	Christians	Palestinians and Lebanese Shia Muslims	​Location: Taalabaya, a strategic Christian-inhabited town on the periphery of Zahleh in the Beqaa Valley. ​Casualties: 35 residents killed. ​Perpetrators: The attack was carried out by a coalition of As-Sa'iqa commandos (a pro-Syrian Palestinian faction), elements of the Palestinian Liberation Army (PLA), and local allied gunmen from neighboring villages. [22]
Jiyeh massacre	January 16-17, 1976	Jiyeh	40	Christians	Palestine Liberation Organisation & Lebanese National Movement	Perpetrators: A coalition of the PLO and LNM. ​Casualties: 40 civilians killed. ​Victims: Mostly women and children. Strategy: The attack in Jiyeh targeted an entry point to Damour, a strategic, predominantly Christian coastal town located south of Beirut. This assault was a precursor to the larger, more catastrophic attack on Damour that occurred several days later. [22]
Haouch Barada massacre	January 18, 1976	Haouch Barada Baalbek	3	Christians	Palestine Liberation Organisation & Lebanese National Movement	The Christian town of Haouch-Barada, located in the vicinity of Baalbeck in the Beqaa Valley, was subjected to a targeted attack. The assault resulted in three civilian fatalities and significant structural damage to the town. Faced with this direct threat, the entire population of approximately 800 residents was forced to abandon their homes, seeking refuge in the relative safety of Zahleh and East Beirut. [22]
Deir Al-Ahmar & Zahle siege	January 18-25, 1976	Deir Al-Ahmar Zahle	dozens	Christians	Palestine Liberation Organisation & Lebanese National Movement	Between January 18 and 25, 1976, the Beqaa Valley experienced a decisive escalation as 4,000 Palestine Liberation Army (PLA) troops backed by Syria, alongside the LNM, besieged the Christian strongholds of Zahleh and Deir al-Ahmar. The offensive utilized heavy artillery, tanks, and coordinated infantry maneuvers to shell residential areas and isolate these towns from external reinforcements, which resulted in significant civilian casualties and sparked a mass exodus of the local population. [23]
Karantina massacre	January 18, 1976	Beirut	300–1,500	Palestinians and Lebanese Muslims	Kataeb Regulatory Forces	Karantina was an impoverished predominantly Muslim district — housing Lebanese and Palestine refugees, as well as others — in northeastern Beirut, and was overrun by the Lebanese Christian militias.
Deir Jannine massacre	January 19, 1976	Deir Jannine Akkar	9	Christians	Palestine Liberation Organisation & Lebanese National Movement	Muslim militants aligned with the Lebanese National Movement and pro-Syrian Palestinian factions attacked the village of Deir Janine in North Lebanon. The assault resulted in the execution of nine civilians, including two priests. [22]
Bqerzala massacre	January 19, 1976	Bqerzla Akkar	2	Christians	Palestine Liberation Organisation & Lebanese National Movement	Two civilians were killed in the village of Bqerzala in Northern Lebanon. This targeted attack was carried out by local militias allied with the Lebanese National Movement and pro-Syrian Palestinian factions, as part of a wider campaign to establish territorial control and displace Christian residents across the Akkar district. [22]
Rahbeh massacre	January 20, 1976	Rahbeh Akkar	50	Christians	Palestine Liberation Organisation & Lebanese National Movement	On January 20, 1976, the village of Rahbeh in the Akkar region of North Lebanon was the site of a brutal massacre, resulting in the deaths of 50 civilians. [22]
West Beirut checkpoint Massacre	January 20, 1976	West Beirut	30	Christians	Palestine Liberation Organization and Lebanese National Movement	In response to the Karantina massacre, gunmen established checkpoints across West Beirut to intercept civilians. During these operations, approximately 30 Christians were identified and summarily executed. [22]
Damour massacre	January 20, 1976	Damour	582 [24]	Christians	A coalition of Palestine Liberation Organisation and Lebanese National Movement factions, including: ​Fatah (Commanding role) ​As-Sa`iqa (Commanding role) ​DFLP (Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine) ​LCP (Lebanese Communist Party) ​OCAL (Organization of Communist Action in Lebanon) ​Al-Murabitun	Following the Jiyeh Massacre several days earlier where the Damour entry point had been strategically penetrated in preparation, PLO and LNM militia forces launched a brutal assault on the town of Damour. The operation, which aimed to "empty the city" of its estimated 35,000 residents, resulted in a humanitarian catastrophe. Militants systematically killed entire families—including women, children, and the elderly—within their homes and in places of refuge, such as the local church. Survivors and historical accounts document widespread atrocities, including gang rapes, looting, arson, and the desecration of cemeteries. [22] Casualty estimates: 582 civilian deaths. Among those killed were the family members of Christian militia leader Elie Hobeika, and his fiancée. Hobeika later led the Phalangists in the Sabra and Shatila massacre.
El-Qiddam massacre	January 23, 1976	El-Qiddam Baalbek	7	Christians	Palestine Liberation Organisation & Lebanese National Movement	On January 23, 1976, the village of al-Qiddam, located in the Baalbek district of the Beqaa Valley, was targeted in a deadly assault that resulted in the deaths of seven civilians. [22] The assault was conducted by a coalition of forces including local militias affiliated with the Lebanese National Movement (LNM) and various pro-Syrian Palestinian factions (notably As-Sa'iqa).
Qabb Elias massacre	January 24, 1976	Qabb Ilyas Beqaa Valley	16	Christians	Palestine Liberation Organisation & Lebanese National Movement	On January 24, 1976, the Christian neighborhood of Qabb-Elias, located south of Zahleh in the Beqaa Valley, was targeted in a violent offensive that resulted in the deaths of 16 residents. The attack triggered a mass exodus, forcing approximately 300 families to flee their homes and seek refuge in Beirut and the Shuf Mountain village of Ain Dara. [22] The assault was conducted by a coalition of forces including local militias affiliated with the Lebanese National Movement (LNM) and various pro-Syrian Palestinian factions such as As-Sa'iqa.
Beirut Newspapers Massacre	January 31, 1976	Beirut	7	Newspapers: Al-Muharrir and Beyrouth	Palestine Liberation Organization As-Sa'iqa	Palestinian As-Sa'iqa militants attacked the offices of two newspapers, killing the editor and six staff members.The victims were journalists and staff associated with the pro-Palestinian/Leftist camp. [22]
Qoubaiyat Massacre	March 15, 1976	Al-Qoubaiyat Akkar		Christians	Palestine Liberation Organisation & Lebanese National Movement	On March 15, 1976, the Christian village of Qobayat in North Lebanon was subjected to a coordinated assault. The attack was carried out by members of the "Joint Forces" (a coalition of the Lebanese National Movement and Palestinian factions) with the direct military support of Fatah forces operating out of the Beqaa Valley. [22] While specific casualty figures for the assault remain unverified, the attack resulted in significant civilian loss and local destabilization.
​El-Abadieh Massacre	March 19, 1976	El-Abadieh	8	Christians	Druze Lebanese National Movement	On March 19, 1976, in the village of al-Abadieh (located in the Baabda district), a group of armed Druze men executed an entire Christian family of eight. Despite the family’s documented political loyalty to Kamal Jumblatt—a key leader within the Lebanese National Movement—they were not spared. [22]
Mtein Massacre	March 25, 1976	Mtein	53	Christians	Palestine Liberation Organisation & Lebanese National Movement	On March 25, 1976, a brutal attack occurred in the village of Mtein in the Upper Metn district, resulting in the death of 53 Christian civilians, including a nun. Several of the victims were affiliated with the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP). Beyond the killings, the village suffered systematic destruction: residential homes were looted and set on fire, local churches were destroyed, and cemeteries were desecrated in an effort to erase the community's presence. [22]
Mount Lebanon Massacre	April 1 to June 30, 1976.	Aley, Baabda, Matn District, Chouf District, Mount Lebanon	69+	Christians	Druze, Lebanese National Movement, Lebanese Arab Army, Palestine Liberation Organisation	Between April and June 1976, Druze militias, supported by the LAA, LNM & PLO conducted a systematic campaign of violence against Christian villages across Mount Lebanon. This offensive, marked by looting, targeted executions, and widespread property destruction, forced a mass exodus of the Christian population toward the Beqaa and Metn regions. 69 civilian fatalities were documented, broken up per district as follows: Aley - 37 (High density of attacks; frequent mutilations). Baabda & Upper Metn - 20 (Organized village raids and destruction). Chouf & Coastal - 12 (Targeted kidnappings and summary executions). [22]
Mansourieh-Bhamdoun Massacre	March 1 to May 30, 1976.	Bhamdoun, Mansourieh Aley	9	Christians	Druze, LNM, PSP	In the spring of 1976 (March–May), sectarian tensions in the Aley district escalated into a series of targeted killings. Druze militants originating from the town of Btater abducted nine Christian residents from the nearby Mansourieh-Bhamdoun area. The victims were subsequently executed, and their bodies were left exposed on public roads to serve as a visual deterrent and a provocation to the local community. [22]
Mardiyeh Massacre	March 10-11, 1976	Mardiyeh Akkar	22	Christians	Palestinians PFLP	During a night raid intended to cut off supply lines to Christian enclaves in the North, militiamen executed 22 residents, including several women and elderly villagers. [25]
Bombing of Jounieh and Bkerke	May 18, 1976	Jounieh and Bkerke	Multiple (undocumented total)	Christians	Palestine Liberation Organisation & Lebanese National Movement	Location: Jounieh and Bkerke (Maronite Patriarchate), Lebanon. ​Victims: Maronite residents of Jounieh and the Maronite clergy at Bkerke. ​In response to the Syrian-mediated election of Elias Sarkis, forces belonging to the Lebanese National Movement and Joint Forces heavily shelled the Christian stronghold of Jounieh and the seat of the Maronite Patriarchate in Bkerke. [22]
Kaukaba Massacre	June 14, 1976	Kaukaba South Lebanon	15-20	Christians	Palestinians, Fatah, Lebanese Arab Army	Occurred as Palestinian forces attempted to expand their control in the south. Armed groups entered the village and executed a group of civilians who had refused to leave their homes. [26]
Chekka massacre	July 5, 1976	Chekka and Hamat	200	Christians	Palestine Liberation Organisation & Lebanese National Movement	The attack was launched from Tripoli by Palestinian militants and members of a left-wing group called Jund Allah. The group stormed the Christian pro-Syrian Social Nationalist Party settlement of Chekka as well as Hamat. An estimated 200 people were killed in the ensuing 24 hours. Residents tried to flee through a tunnel to Batroun but the attackers blocked the exit. Many were killed as their cars caught fire, and they suffocated to death. [27]
Tel al-Zaatar massacre	August 12, 1976	Beirut	1,500–5,000	Palestinians	Kataeb Regulatory Forces	Christian Phalangists and other rightwing Christian militias besieged Tel Al-Zaatar with help from Syrian Army units; after heavy fighting, they killed Palestinian civilian refugees and PLO fedayeen or fighters. 4,000 injured.
Salha Massacre	August 17, 1976	Salha, South Lebanon	~80	Christians	Palestinians & Lebanese National Movement	During the "Two-Year War" phase, Palestinian-led forces overran the village. Christian civilians were reportedly gathered in a central location and executed. The village was subsequently destroyed and its population displaced. [22]
Maasser Beit Eddine executions	October 28, 1976	Maasser Beit Eddine	16	Christians	PSP	16 Christian civilians, including a family of eight, were killed by PSP members in Maasser Beit ed-Dine. [28]
Accaoui Car Bombing	January 3, 1977	Achrafieh	30+	Christians	Syrian Armed Forces, Arab Deterrent Force	This was the first major car bombing of its kind in the Lebanese Civil War. The explosion caused catastrophic damage to several apartment buildings and storefronts in the Accaoui district. The sheer scale of the civilian carnage shocked the city, as car bombs had not yet become a "standard" tactic of the conflict. Casualties: 30+ deaths; 100+ wounded. [22] : 31
Chouf massacres (1977)	March 16, 1977 – March 30, 1977	Chouf	177-250	Christians	PSP	Series of massacres and forced displacements on Christian civilians following Kamal Jumblatt's death. [29]
Mazraat el-Chouf Massacre	March 17, 1977	Mazraat el-Chouf	52	Christians	Druze	A series of retaliatory killings of Christian civilians in the Shouf district following the assassination of Druze leader Kamal Jumblatt. [30]
Maaser el-Chouf Massacre	March 17, 1977	Maaser el-Chouf	25+	Christians	Druze	Part of the wave of sectarian violence following Jumblatt's death. Civilians were targeted in their homes and during attempts to flee the Shouf region toward East Beirut. [25]
Moukhtara Massacre	March 17, 1977	Moukhtara Chouf District	144	Christians	PSP militias	Following the assassination of Druze leader Kamal Jumblatt, armed groups targeted the Christian population in Moukhtara. Syrian Arab Deterrent Forces (ADF) eventually intervened to stop the sectarian killings. [25] : 243
Barouk Massacre	March 17, 1977	Barouk Chouf District	33	Christians	PSP militias	Part of the wave of "revenge killings" in the Shouf. Civilian residents were reportedly executed in their homes or while attempting to flee the village during the chaos following Jumblatt's death. [30] : 48
St George's Church attack	August 21, 1977	Brih, Chouf	13	Christians	Druze	Druze leftist gunmen attacked St George's Church during prayers on Sunday with automatic gunfire inside and around the church killing 13 people. [31]
Martyrs’ Square Bombing	February 1, 1978	Beirut	20	Lebanese Civilians	Syrian Armed Forces or proxies.	A powerful bomb was detonated in the heart of Beirut’s historic city center. Martyrs’ Square was the functional hub of the capital, serving as a transit point and commercial crossroads. The blast targeted the dense midday crowd, causing high fatalities and significant structural damage to the surrounding Ottoman-era architecture. Casualties: 20 deaths; dozens wounded. [22] : 31
Maarad Street Explosion	February 3, 1978	Beirut	Undetermined	Lebanese Civilians	Syrian Armed Forces or proxies.	Only 48 hours after the Martyrs’ Square massacre, a second explosion rocked the nearby Maarad Street, a famous thoroughfare known for its arcaded buildings and administrative offices. [22] : 31
Fayadieh Incident and East Beirut Shelling (Feb 1978)	February 7-9, 1978	Fayadieh, Ain El Remmaneh, Karm al-Zeitoun, Badaro, East Beirut	100+	Christians	Syrian Armed Forces, Arab Deterrent Force	Following a military clash between the Lebanese Army and Syrian ADF units at the Fayadieh barracks on February 7, 1978, Syrian forces initiated a heavy artillery bombardment of the Christian-populated neighborhoods of Ain al-Remmaneh, Karm al-Zeitoun, and Badaro. The shelling resulted in at least 100 civilian deaths and 200 injuries, signaling the start of open hostilities between the Syrian military and the Lebanese Front. [22]
April 1978 Shelling of East Beirut	April 12, 1978	Ain El Remmaneh, Badaro, East Beirut	60	Christians	Syrian Armed Forces, Arab Deterrent Force	Following three days of street fighting between the Tigers Militia (PNL) and Syrian forces along the Chiyah–Ain al-Remmaneh axis, the Syrian military launched a massive artillery bombardment on the residential sectors of Ain al-Remmaneh and Badaro. The density of the neighborhoods led to a high civilian casualty rate in a single day of shelling. 60 deaths; 250 injured. [22]
May 1978 Bombardment of Ain al-Remmaneh	May 6, 1978	Ain El Remmaneh, East Beirut	3	Christians	Syrian Armed Forces, Arab Deterrent Force	Renewed clashes between Christian militias and Syrian units led to a targeted bombardment of Ain al-Remmaneh. While the death toll was lower than the April 12 event, it is recorded in human rights mapping as a continued pattern of targeting civilian-populated militia strongholds. [22]
Ehden massacre	June 13, 1978	Ehden	40	Marada Movement	Kataeb Regulatory Forces	It was an inter-Christian attack that occurred between the Maronite clans. [32] [33] Following the kidnapping and assassination of Jude al-Bayeh, a Kataeb leader in Zgharta (Marada heartland) by members of Marada, a Phalangist squad attacked the mansion of Frangieh family in an attempt to capture Ehden, killing nearly 40 people including Tony Frangieh, his spouse and his three-year-old daughter, Jihane. [34] [35] After the retaliatory massacre, the power of the Frangiehs is reported to have declined. [36]
Qaa, Ras Baalbek, Jdeidet al-Fekha & Fakiha Massacres	June 28, 1978	Qaa, Ras Baalbek, Jdeidet al-Fekha & Fakiha	26-40	Christians	Syrian Special Forces (supporting Marada interests)	Said to be revenge after the death of Marada leader Tony Frangieh in the Ehden massacre.
Hundred Days' War	July 1 – October 7, 1978	East Beirut and the Northern Enclave.	300+	Christians	Syrian Armed Forces, Arab Deterrent Force	Syrian forces utilized "scorched earth" tactics, firing at a rate that sometimes reached one bomb per minute. The campaign resulted in the total or partial destruction of 60,000 buildings and the temporary displacement of nearly half of Beirut's population (approx. 250,000 people). Casualties: Several hundred civilians killed; 1,000+ injured. [22] : 26
Shelling of Hotel-Dieu Hospital and East Beirut (1978)	July 2, 1978	Achrafieh, Hadath, Ain El Remmaneh, and Furn El-Chebbak (East Beirut)	60	Christians + hospital patients	Syrian Armed Forces, Arab Deterrent Force	On the second day of the Hundred-Day War, Syrian forces launched a massive artillery barrage using 240mm heavy mortars. The shelling famously struck the Hotel-Dieu de France hospital with 130 shells, destroying 20 rooms. Saint Georges and Geitawi hospitals were also hit. Casualties: 60 deaths; 300 wounded. [22] : 26
Hadath Bombardment	July 23, 1978	Hadath	10	Christians	Syrian Armed Forces, Arab Deterrent Force	A concentrated artillery strike targeted the town of Hadath, a strategic Christian-dominated area. The high ratio of injuries to deaths was attributed to the use of heavy caliber weapons in a residential setting, forcing the local population to remain in underground shelters for weeks. Casualties: 10 deaths; 100+ wounded. [22] : 26
Fakhani Building Bombing	August 13, 1978	Fakhani district West Beirut	148	Palestine Liberation Organization Fatah	Palestinian Arab Liberation Front	A massive explosion completely leveled an eight-story apartment building that served as a headquarters for the PLO. It remains one of the deadliest single-building bombings of the civil war era, occurring amidst the fierce rivalry between pro-Iraqi and pro-Syrian factions within the Palestinian movement. [22] : 27
North Lebanon and Beqaa Offensive (Aug 1978)	August 24–26, 1978	Koura, Batroun, North Lebanon, Ainata, Mshatiyyeh, Deir Al-Ahmar, Beqaa Valley	37	Christians	Syrian Armed Forces, Arab Deterrent Force	Between August 24 and 26, 1978, Syrian ADF troops conducted a wide-scale military operation targeting Christian-populated areas. Forces attacked positions in the Koura and Batroun districts of North Lebanon while simultaneously entering the villages of Ainata, Mshatiyyeh, and Deir al-Ahmar in the Beqaa Valley. The offensive resulted in 37 deaths, consisting primarily of local civilians caught in the crossfire or targeted during the military occupation. [22] : 24
Bcharre Kidnappings and Executions	August 27–28, 1978	Bcharre, North Lebanon	6	Christians	Syrian Armed Forces, Arab Deterrent Force	On August 27 and 28, 1978, soldiers from the Syrian-led Arab Deterrent Force (ADF) kidnapped six Lebanese citizens from the town of Bcharre. The victims were summarily executed and their bodies burned before the remains were returned to local authorities. This incident occurred during a broader Syrian military offensive in North Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley aimed at dismantling the influence of the Lebanese Front. [22] : 24
Black Saturday Shelling	September 30, 1978	East Beirut, Jounieh, Eastern Metn	70	Christians	Syrian Armed Forces, Arab Deterrent Force	Occurring near the end of the Hundred-Day War, this was one of the most widespread single-day bombardments of the conflict. Syrian artillery expanded its range beyond Beirut to strike the port city of Jounieh and the mountain villages of the Metn. The use of Grad missiles and incendiary phosphorus bombs during this period led to massive civilian displacement. 70 deaths; 300 wounded. [22] : 26
Baalchmay Family Massacre	November 1978	Baalchmay	9	Christians	Druze	In a particularly brutal sectarian attack, a gunman entered the village and executed an entire family of nine. This event contributed significantly to the atmosphere of fear that preceded the wider "Mountain War." [22]
Alali and Rasha Raid	November 15, 1978	Alali and Rasha, North Lebanon	2	Christians	Marada Movement	In a retaliatory atmosphere following the Ehden Massacre, Marada gunmen raided the villages of Alali and Rasha. Fifteen civilians were abducted and subjected to physical abuse before two were executed. This was part of a pattern of "tit-for-tat" kidnappings in the Batroun and Koura districts. [22]
Chmout massacre	April 22, 1979	Chmout, Jbeil	13	Kataeb Regulatory Forces	Marada Movement	False flag revenge for the Ehden massacre. Marada fighters disguised themselves in Kataeb uniforms and infiltrated a house in Chmout where a celebration was taking place, targeting Kataeb members. [37]
Sirjbal Siege	June, 1979	Sirjbal Chouf	2	Christians	Druze, Palestinians, Lebanese National Movement	This operation was a strategic military action aimed at clearing the "villages of the valleys" (al-Wadaya) to secure the Shuf road for the Joint Forces. Following the killing of two residents, approximately 500 Christians fled the seven surrounding villages toward Beirut's southeastern suburbs. [22]
Ain Dara Executions	July, 1979	Ain Dara Chouf	5	Christians	Druze	A coordinated series of attacks on the entrances to the Shuf district. In Ain Dara, five residents were executed. [22]
Dakoun Executions	July, 1979	Dakoun Aley	4	Christians	Druze	A coordinated series of attacks on the entrances to the Aley district. In Dakoun, four young men were singled out and killed. [22]
Basta Bombing	October 27, 1979	West Beirut	8	Lebanese Civilians	Attributed to Syrian Intelligence or pro-Syrian factions (such as the As-Sa'iqa or the SSNP)	On October 27, 1979, a remote-controlled improvised explosive device (IED) containing 30 kilograms of TNT was detonated in the Basta district of West Beirut. The explosion occurred in a densely populated residential and commercial sector, specifically targeting the area adjacent to the headquarters of the Arab Lebanese Army (ALA). The blast killed at least eight civilians and wounded 32 others. The resulting fires caused extensive structural damage, destroying dozens of homes, storefronts, and civilian vehicles. Historians frequently cite the attack as an effort by Syrian-aligned factions to exert pressure on the ALA, a splinter group that often operated independently of Syrian military interests in the capital's western sectors. [22] : 31
Battle of Qnat	February 5–17, 1980	Qnat North Lebanon	50	Christians	Syrian Special Forces (supporting Marada interests)	Following Kataeb-Marada clashes, Syrian Special Forces launched a major offensive to occupy the strategic village of Qnat. The village was shelled and besieged for over 10 days during a period of extreme winter weather. The assault resulted in high civilian fatalities and forced thousands to flee through snow-covered mountains to escape the bombardment.< [22]
Assassination of Maya Gemayel	February 23, 1980	Achrafieh, East Beirut	8	Christians including Maya Gemayel (20 months old).	While no group successfully claimed responsibility at the time, historians and intelligence reports generally attribute the operation to the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP) or Syrian Intelligence, likely acting in coordination with the Marada Brigade as retaliation for the Ehden Massacre (1978).	A powerful car bomb, containing approximately 50kg of TNT, was detonated in the heart of Ashrafieh as Bachir Gemayel's vehicle passed. Bachir was not in the car at the moment of the blast, but his toddler daughter, Maya, was killed instantly along with three of his security detail. Four other civilians in the vicinity also perished in the explosion, which caused extensive damage to the surrounding residential buildings. [22]
Syrian Intelligence Assassination Wave	February 23 - July 23, 1980	East Beirut, West Beirut, Mount Lebanon	11	High-profile Christian politicians and journalists/ intellectuals of various backgrounds who opposed the Syrian occupation.	Syrian Intelligence Services (frequently acting through the Syrian Special Forces or local proxies such as Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP).	Beyond large-scale military engagements, the year 1980 was marked by a systematic campaign of targeted assassinations attributed to Syrian Intelligence. This wave of violence specifically targeted the intellectual and political pillars of the Christian enclave and the independent press. By targeting figures like Camille Chamoun and journalists such as Salim al-Lawzi and Riad Taha, the campaign aimed to dissolve the internal cohesion of the Lebanese Front and eliminate voices calling for Syrian withdrawal. [22]
Zahleh Car Bombing	March 6, 1980	Zahle	4	Christians	Syrian Armed Forces Arab Deterrent Force / Syrian Intelligence.	On March 6, 1980, a car bomb exploded in a civilian area of Zahleh, a strategically significant Christian-majority city in the Bekaa Valley. The blast killed four civilians and wounded two others. The attack occurred amidst escalating tensions between the city’s inhabitants and Syrian military forces stationed in the region. Analysts view this bombing as part of a broader campaign to destabilize Zahleh’s autonomy and pressure local leadership ahead of the full-scale military sieges that would follow in late 1980 and 1981. [22] : 31
Shamout House Party Massacre	April 22, 1980	Shamout North Lebanon	15	Christians - Unarmed civilians attending a private gathering.	Marada Movement	Marada militants attacked a private home during a party in Shamout. After opening fire on the guests, they abducted the survivors, transporting them through Batroun to Zgharta. At least 15 of the victims were eventually confirmed killed. [22]
Burj al-Barajneh Clashes	May 28, 1980	Burj al-Barajneh West Beirut	15	Palestinians, Pro-Iraqi Ba'ath, LCP (Communists)	Amal Lebanese Shia Muslims	This event highlights the growing rift between the Shia Amal movement and the Palestinian-Leftist coalition. The fighting in the dense streets of Burj al-Barajneh marked the beginning of Amal's assertion of authority over the southern suburbs of Beirut. Casualties: 15 deaths; 30 wounded. [22]
Mountain Purge	July, 1980	Matn District Aley	7	Christians	Druze, Palestinians, Lebanese National Movement	A coordinated series of killings targeting the remaining Christian presence in strategic mountain villages. The victims were often vulnerable residents who had stayed behind during previous waves of displacement, including a disabled person in Sirjbal. These killings were intended to intimidate the remaining Christian population into fleeing toward the "Eastern Zone" (East Beirut and Mount Lebanon proper), effectively "purging" these areas to secure military supply lines for the Joint Forces. [22]
Safra massacre	July 7, 1980	Safra	83	National Liberal Party (Lebanon)	Kataeb Regulatory Forces
Ashrafieh/Bachir Gemayel Bombing	July 30, 1980	Achrafieh	5	Christians	Attributed to Syrian Intelligence or their proxies (potentially the SSNP)	A massive car bomb was detonated near the residence of Bachir Gemayel. While Gemayel himself was the intended target, the blast occurred in a densely populated residential street, causing the deaths of several neighbors and pedestrians. 5 civilians killed (including two women); 15 wounded. This was the second major attempt on his life and family that year, following the February bombing that killed his daughter, Maya. [22] : 31
1980 Zahle Pre-Siege Shelling	December 22–24, 1980	Zahle, Beqaa Valley	numerous - undetermined	Christians	Syrian Armed Forces, Arab Deterrent Force	Following an ambush that killed five Syrian soldiers, the Syrian military launched a "punitive" bombardment of the city. After residents refused to hand over the LF members responsible, the city was shelled for 48 hours without interruption. This event served as the precursor to the major 1981 battle. [22] : 28
Hawsh al-Umara 1981 Shelter Massacre	December 22–24, 1980	Hawsh al-Umara, Zahle	30	Christians - primarily women & children	Syrian Armed Forces, Arab Deterrent Force	During the initial heavy bombardment of the 1981 siege, Syrian artillery struck a multi-story building in the Hawsh al-Umara district. The building collapsed onto its own shelter, killing 30 civilians who were seeking refuge. This incident is often cited as the deadliest single event of the three-month siege. [22] : 28
Red Cross Medics Executions	April 4, 1981	Zahle	3	Christians - Sister Marie-Sophie Zoghby, Khalil Saydah, and Salim Hammoud.	Syrian Armed Forces	Despite the Red Cross vehicle being clearly marked, it was targeted by intense Syrian fire while attempting to deliver bread and medicine to local hospitals. The death of Sister Marie-Sophie, a prominent nun and medical worker, caused significant international outcry and led to the brief opening of supply routes later that month. [22] : 28
Siege of Zahleh	March 31, 1981 – June 30, 1981	Zahle and surrounding Beqaa outskirts.	200	Christians	Syrian Armed Forces (supported by PLA units).	A three-month total blockade and bombardment of Lebanon's largest Christian city in the Beqaa. Syrian forces blocked all food and medical supplies, systematically targeting schools and hospitals. The battle notably drew in international actors, leading to the "Missile Crisis" when Israel shot down Syrian helicopters and Syria responded by deploying SAM-2 and SAM-6 missiles in the Beqaa. The siege ended following U.S.-led mediation by Philip Habib. Casualties: 200 civilians killed; 2,000+ injured. [22] : 28
Zahleh Spillover Shelling	April 2, 1981	East Beirut and West Beirut (near the Demarcation Line).	45	Christians	Syrian Armed Forces	As a reaction to the clashes in Zahleh, the Syrian military launched an intensive bombardment of East Beirut during peak business and school hours. In retaliation, the Lebanese Forces (LF) shelled Muslim-populated residential areas near the "Green Line." This single day of reciprocal shelling resulted in one of the highest civilian death tolls of the year in the capital. Casualties: 45 civilians killed; 200+ injured. [22] : 29
Military Hospital and Baabda Offensive	April 6, 1981	Galerie Semaan, Hadath, and Baabda (Beirut suburbs)	10	Christians Lebanese Army	Syrian Armed Forces	Syrian forces targeted Lebanese Army positions, resulting in the partial destruction of the Military Hospital, specifically its emergency and operating facilities. The fighting expanded into the southern suburbs of Baabda and Hadath, where civilian residential blocks were caught in the crossfire of heavy artillery. Casualties: 10 civilians killed; 67 injured. [22] : 29
Northern Suburbs Bombardment 1981	May 10, 1981	Ajaltoun, Jounieh, Harissa, Beit Mery, and Ain Saadeh.	18	Christians	Syrian Armed Forces	Syrian artillery expanded its range beyond the city center to hit the northern and eastern mountain suburbs. These areas were previously considered relatively safe havens for displaced persons. The shelling of Jounieh and Harissa specifically targeted the infrastructure of the Maronite heartland. Casualties: 18 civilians killed; 170 wounded. [22] : 29
May 18 Beirut Shelling	May 18, 1981	Throughout Beirut	25	Christians	Syrian Armed Forces	A renewed peak in hostilities led to widespread bombardment across the capital's residential sectors. This period of violence contributed to the mass exodus of approximately 100,000 civilians fleeing East Beirut toward the relative safety of the Metn mountains and the North. Casualties: 25 civilians killed; 118 wounded. [22] : 29
Lebanon Hostage Crisis	July 19, 1982 - December 4, 1991	West Beirut Beqaa Valley	Hundreds of Lebanese + at least 8 foreigners	104 foreign hostages including Americans, French, British & Soviets and many Lebanese intellectuals and academics.	Hezbollah operating under the front name Islamic Jihad Organization	A decade-long campaign of systematic abductions designed to force the withdrawal of Western forces from Lebanon and secure the release of Shia prisoners held abroad. Victims were often held in underground cells, blindfolded for years, and subjected to torture or mock executions. While most were eventually released through complex international negotiations (such as the Iran-Contra affair), several high-profile captives were murdered or died from medical neglect. [38]
Assassination of Bachir Gemayel	September 14, 1982	Achrafieh	27	Bachir Gemayel & 26 other Lebanese Christians	Habib Shartouni, a member of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP). Shartouni lived in the apartment above the headquarters and was recruited by Syrian Intelligence (specifically Nabil Alam) to plant the device.	On September 14, 1982, President-elect Bachir Gemayel was assassinated when a powerful bomb destroyed the Kataeb Party headquarters in Ashrafieh. The blast killed Gemayel and 26 others. The perpetrator was later identified as Habib Shartouni, a member of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP) acting on behalf of Syrian intelligence. The assassination occurred only nine days before Gemayel's scheduled inauguration and triggered a chain of events. [22]
Sabra and Shatila massacre	September 16, 1982	West Beirut	460–3,500	Palestinians and Lebanese Shia Muslims	Lebanese Forces (attack) Israel Defense Forces (support)	Sabra and Shatila were Palestinian refugee camps housing both Sunni and Christian Palestinian refugees, as well as some poor Lebanese and Kurds. The Phalanges attacked the camp in retaliation for the assassination of President Bachir Gemayel.
Kfarnabrakh Funeral Attack	November 8, 1982	Kfarnabrakh Chouf District	20	Christians	PSP	Militias attacked a funeral ceremony in the village, killing 11 civilians and wounding 11 others. Nine more were abducted and later found dead in a well. Around 20 houses were burned, including the home of the local priest. [22]
Mountain war massacres	1983	South Mount Lebanon	1,500 - 3,500	Christians	Druze	Druze forces massacred hundreds of Christian civilians, ethnically cleansing South Mount Lebanon from Christian presence.
Bireh Massacre	September 5, 1983	Bireh Chouf District	~80	Christians	Druze	Part of the sectarian displacements in the Shouf during the Mountain War. Entire families were reportedly executed in their homes during the militia's advance into the village. [39]
Kfarmatta massacre	September 5, 1983	Kfarmatta Aley District	145-200	Druze	Lebanese Forces	Occurred during the height of the Mountain War. Civilian residents were reportedly executed following the militia takeover of the town. [22] : 34
Bmarian Massacre	September 6, 1983	Bmarian Aley District	65+	Christians	Druze	Following the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Aley District, Druze militias entered the village; civilian homes were targeted and the village was largely destroyed. [40]
Salimeh Massacre	September 6, 1983	Salimeh Baabda District	30+	Christians	PSP	Following the takeover of the Baabda heights, Druze militias entered the mixed village of Salimeh. Reports detailed the execution of civilian residents and the systematic destruction of Christian-owned property. [25] : 245
Ras el-Matn Massacre	September 6, 1983	Ras el-Matn Baabda District	~40	Christians	PSP	Part of the sectarian displacements in the Upper Metn. After the withdrawal of official state forces, local militias conducted "cleansing" operations, leading to localized executions and the permanent flight of the Christian minority. [39]
Beiteddine Massacre	September 8, 1983	Beiteddine Chouf District	5	Christians	PSP	Following the withdrawal of Israeli forces, Druze militias overran the historic town. Victims included five elderly Christian residents, all over the age of 75, who were unable to flee. [22] : 34
Burjayn Massacre	September 9, 1983	Burjayn Chouf District	19	Christians	PSP	After the village fell to Druze militias, nineteen individuals, consisting of both local civilians and captured Lebanese Forces members, were summarily executed. [22]
Tripoli Communist Purge	October 11-19, 1983	Tripoli	50-100	Lebanese Communist Party	Islamic Unification Movement (Tawheed)	Following the departure of PLO factions, Tawheed forces seized control of the city and systematically targeted secular rivals. Militiamen occupied party offices and reportedly executed dozens of members, often forcing them to renounce their political beliefs before killing them. [41]
1983 Beirut barracks bombing	October 23, 1983	Beirut	307	Americans, French and Lebanese	Hezbollah under the guise of Islamic Jihad Organization	Victims were mostly American Marines.
West Beirut Intifada (6 February Uprising)	February 6, 1984	West Beirut	~200-300	Lebanese Army, Lebanese Christians	Amal, PSP	Following the collapse of the Lebanese Army's 4th Brigade, Amal and PSP militias took control of West Beirut. Reports surfaced of summary executions of surrendered soldiers and "liquidations" of political rivals. [42]
1984 Sohmor massacre	September 20, 1984	Sohmor	13	Shia Muslims	Israel Defence Forces, and South Lebanon Army
War of the Camps	May 1985	West Beirut	3,781	Palestinians	Amal, Syrian Armed Forces	Sabra, Shatila and Burj el-Barajneh Palestinian refugee camps were besieged and bombed by the Shi'ite Amal militia, with Syrian Army support. 6,787 injured. Some activity occurred after May 1985
​War of the Shia Brothers	April 1988 – November 1990	Dahieh Southern Lebanon	2500-3000	Shia Muslims	Hezbollah, Amal	A violent struggle for leadership within the Shia community involving house-to-house urban combat and heavy artillery duels in mountain villages. It was marked by summary executions and "identity card" killings. [43]
Dahr al-Wahsh massacre	October, 1990	Dahr al-Wahsh, Aley	75–80	Lebanese	Syrian Armed Forces	Dahr al-Wahsh has received attention as the site of an October, 1990 conflict termed the "Dahr al-Wahsh massacre" by Middle-East studies professor Mordechai Nisan. [44] Interpretation and description of the event varies according to source.
October 13 massacre	October 13, 1990	Beirut	740–940	Christians	Syrian Armed Forces	2000 injured; Maronite Lebanese soldiers and civilians were killed by Syrian forces after surrender.
Hezbollah-Syrian Transnational Abductions	1990 - 2005	Throughout Lebanon	~640 to 1,200 documented individuals (presumed dead)	Lebanese Citizens	Hezbollah, Syrian Intelligence	Between 1990 and 2005, during the period of Syrian military presence in Lebanon, a campaign of enforced disappearances targeted Lebanese citizens and political activists. Human rights groups such as SOLIDE and ICTJ estimate that between 640 and 1,200 individuals were abducted by groups controlled by Hezbollah and Syrian intelligence. Many of these victims were reportedly transferred to detention centers in Syria, and in the absence of evidence of life, are presumed deceased. [22]

Post Civil War Era

Name	Date	Location	Deaths	Victims	Perpetrators	Notes
Mansouri attack	April 13, 1996	Mansouri	6	Shia Muslims	Israel Defense Forces
Nabatieh Fawka attack	April 16, 1996	Nabatieh Fawka	9	Shia Muslims	Israel Defense Forces
First Qana Massacre	April 18, 1996	Qana	106	Shia Muslims	Israel Defense Forces	The Israel Defense Forces fired artillery shells at a United Nations compound, which had given refuge to 800 Lebanese civilians. 116 injured in addition to 106 deaths.
Rafic Hariri Bombing	Feb 14, 2005	Beirut	22	Former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, his security detail, and bystanders in a busy commercial district.	Hezbollah	A massive suicide truck bomb containing over 2,000kg of explosives was detonated as Hariri’s motorcade passed. The blast was so powerful it left a crater 10 meters wide and destroyed multiple surrounding buildings, causing high civilian casualties. Casualties: 22 deaths; 226 wounded. Location: St. George Hotel area, Beirut, Lebanon. Perpetrators: Hezbollah (Specifically Salim Ayyash of "Unit 121," as determined by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon). [45]
Gebran Tueni Bombing	December 12, 2005	Beirut	4	Christians. Gebran Tueni (MP and Editor of An-Nahar), his driver, his bodyguard, and one bystander.	Hezbollah	A parked car containing 40kg of explosives was detonated as Tueni’s armored vehicle passed. The blast occurred in a busy industrial/commercial area, causing significant injuries to nearby civilians and structural damage to surrounding buildings. Casualties: 4 deaths; 32 wounded. Location: Mkalles, Eastern Beirut. Perpetrators: Hezbollah (Unit 121). [46]
2006 War - Indiscriminate Fire & Human Shielding	July 12 - Aug 14, 2006	Southern Lebanon, Beqaa Valley, Dahieh	43 Israeli civilians and ~1,109 Lebanese civilians	Lebanese civilians, Israeli Civilians	Hezbollah	During the 34-day conflict, Hezbollah launched approximately 4,000 Katyusha rockets and other projectiles into civilian population centers in Northern Israel. Human Rights Watch investigated the attacks and concluded they were "indiscriminate" and, in many cases, deliberate attacks on civilians, constituting war crimes. [47] Reports from the UN and human rights groups noted that Hezbollah frequently stored weaponry in residential buildings and launched rockets from the immediate vicinity of civilian homes and shelters. By failing to distinguish themselves from the civilian population and utilizing civilian infrastructure for military purposes, Hezbollah violated the laws of war, directly contributing to the high civilian death toll from Israeli counter-strikes. [48]
Second Qana Massacre	July 30, 2006	Qana	28	Shia Muslims	Israeli Air Force
Marjayoun Convoy Incident	August 11, 2006	Kefraya	7	Red Cross	Israel Air Force	The IDF bombed a 359 vehicles convoy which was granted right of safe passage from the IDF, mediated through the UNIFIL. A reporter confirmed that the Red cross and Civil defense coming to aid the convoy were also bombed, which resulted in the death of a Red Cross volunteer
Pierre Gemayel Assassination	November 21, 2006	Beirut	2	Christians. Pierre Gemayel (Minister of Industry) and his bodyguard, Samir Chartouni.	Hezbollah	In a departure from car bombings, Gemayel’s convoy was rammed by another vehicle in broad daylight. Three gunmen emerged and opened fire with silenced automatic weapons at close range. The brazen nature of the attack in a crowded suburb caused massive political unrest. Location: Jdeideh, Northern Beirut Suburbs. Perpetrators: Hezbollah (Unit 121). [49]
Francois al-Hajj Bombing	December 12, 2007	Baabda	5	Christians + Major-General Francois al-Hajj and his bodyguard.	Hezbollah	A car bomb targeted al-Hajj, who was the head of operations for the Lebanese Army and a candidate for Army Commander. The blast occurred near the Presidential Palace, killing three civilians in addition to the military targets. Location: Baabda, Mount Lebanon. Perpetrators: Hezbollah (Unit 121). [50]
May 2008 Conflict	May 7-14, 2008	Beirut, Alley, Chouf, Beqaa Valley, Akkar	81-110	Druze PSP, Lebanese Sunni Muslims Future Movement	Hezbollah, Amal, SSNP	​The conflict was sparked by two cabinet decrees on May 5, 2008, which declared Hezbollah's private fiber-optic network illegal and dismissed the airport’s security chief over alleged ties to the group. Hezbollah characterized the moves as a "declaration of war" against its resistance infrastructure. In response, opposition forces seized West Beirut, forcing the government to rescind the orders via the Arab League-mediated Doha Agreement. [51]
Wissam al-Hassan Bombing (Ashrafieh)	December 19, 2012	Achrafieh Beirut	8	Wissam al-Hassan (ISF Intelligence Chief), his driver, and several civilians.	Hezbollah	One of the most devastating Unit 121 attacks. A massive car bomb was detonated in a densely populated residential and shopping district. Because of the location and time of day, the vast majority of the 110 casualties were non-combatant residents and shoppers. Casualties: 8 deaths; 110 wounded Location: Sassine Square, Ashrafieh, Beirut. Perpetrators: Hezbollah (Unit 121). [52]
Beirut Port Explosion	August 4, 2020	Beirut	218+	Lebanese civilians, mostly Christians	Hezbollah (alleged - see notes)	One of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history. It destroyed the grain silos and leveled much of the Gemmayzeh and Mar Mikhael neighborhoods. [53] Investigation Interference and Obstruction: Since 2020, the judicial investigation into the Beirut Port explosion has been repeatedly stalled by political interference. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have documented a "culture of impunity," noting that Hezbollah and its allies have used legal maneuvers and direct threats to obstruct the work of Judge Tarek Bitar. In late 2021, Hezbollah security chief Wafiq Safa reportedly threatened to "uproot" Bitar. Following the 2021 Tayyouneh clashes, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah accused the investigation of being "politicized" and a "tool of foreign influence." As of 2024, the probe remains largely paralyzed due to non-cooperation from state security agencies and the refusal of the Ministry of Interior to execute warrants. [54]
2023 Ainata airstrike	November 5, 2023	Ainata	4	Shia Muslims	Israel Air Force	Three children and their grandmother were killed by an Israeli air attack in Ainata, south Lebanon. [55] [56]
August 2024 Nabatieh attack	August 17, 2024	Nabatieh	11+	Syrian refugees	Israel Air Force
2024 Lebanon electronic device attacks	September 17-18, 2024	Cities across Lebanon	42	Hezbollah	Israel
2024 Debel massacre	October 2, 2024	Debel	3	Lebanese Christians	Hezbollah	Hezbollah killed three Christians in Debel, Lebanon. A Hezbollah missile hit the house of Major Fadi Said, his mother and father, in the Christian Lebanese town of Debel near Israel's borders.
2024 Beirut medical center airstrike	October 4, 2024	Beirut	9+	Hezbollah Shia Muslims	Israel Air Force
2024 Derdghaya Melkite Church airstrike	October 9, 2024	Derdghaya	8+ [57]	Hezbollah Shia Muslims	Israel Air Force
October 2024 Bachoura airstrike	October 10, 2024	Beirut	22+ [58]	Hezbollah Shia Muslims	Israel Air Force
October 2024 Aitou airstrike	October 14, 2024	Aitou	23	Hezbollah Shia Muslims	Israel Air Force	8+ injured; victims include 12 women and 2 children
Attack on Nabatieh municipal council	October 16, 2024	Nabatieh	16+	Shia Muslims	Israel Air Force	Israel conducted ten airstrikes on the municipal headquarters in Nabatieh, while municipal staff were having a meeting inside and co-ordinating aid for civilians remaining in the town. The airstrike killed at least 16 municipality staff, including the mayor of Nabatieh, Ahmad Kahil, and injured at least 52 others. [59]
2024 Beqaa Valley airstrikes	October 28, 2024	Beqaa Valley	60+	Hezbollah Shia Muslims	Israel Air Force	117+ Injured
Barja attack	November 7, 2024	Barja	30+	Hezbollah Shia Muslims	Israel Air Force	The strike targeted a residential building housing displaced people killing over 30 and injuring 14 others. [60]
2024 Akkar airstrike	November 11, 2024	Ain Yaaqoub	15+	Hezbollah Shia Muslims and Syrians	Israel Air Force
Basta airstrikes	November 23, 2024	Beirut	29+	Hezbollah Shia Muslims	Israel Air Force
2025 Bint Jbeil drone strike	September 21, 2025	Bint Jbeil	5	Shia Muslims/Americans	Israel Air Force
2025 Ain al-Hilweh airstrike	November 18, 2025	Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp	13	Hamas Palestinians	Israel Air Force
November 2025 Israeli attack in Beirut	November 23, 2025	Beirut	5	Hezbollah Haytham Ali Tabatabai, the senior commander of Hezbollah	Israel Air Force	28 others were injured by the attack. [61]

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