As of October 2023, Lebanon is facing a number of challenges and crises. Here are some of the key events happening in Lebanon:

• Economic Crisis: Lebanon has been facing a crippling economic crisis for the past four years, which has pushed over 80% of the population into poverty. Rampant inflation, currency devaluation, and import shortages have made life difficult for all residents of Lebanon.

• Political Instability: Lebanons president and prime minister have failed to agree on a new government since the outgoing cabinets mandate expired after the elections in May 2023. The established political parties have failed to make any public commitments to strengthen human rights protections. The political establishment has also obstructed the domestic investigation into the Beirut blast in August 2020, which killed more than 220 people and injured more than 7,000.

• Maritime Border Dispute with Israel: Lebanons maritime border dispute with Israel escalated over the summer after a ship began setting up an Israeli drilling platform in the Karish field, a disputed area rich in natural gas and oil. On October 11, 2023, Lebanon and Israel reached a historic agreement demarcating the disputed maritime border after years of US-mediated negotiations.

• Possible War: The Lebanese government is preparing itself for a possible war, which would be disastrous for Lebanon. The situation along the Lebanese-Israel border is "stable but volatile". The Lebanese people are polarized and particularly anxious because it will be devastating for Lebanon if there is a second front opened and an all-out conflict in the region.

• Ceasefire in Ain al-Hilweh: A ceasefire was signed between Fatah and Islamist groups after three days of clashes in the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp.

• Postponed Municipal Elections: Lebanons Parliament decided to postpone the countrys municipal elections for one year amid funding shortages.

• Protests: In May 2023, Lebanese feminists protested after a woman was harassed over wearing a swimsuit at a beach. Hezbollah staged a show of force in Aaramta, Jezzine for the memorial of Israels withdrawal from Southern Lebanon. Lebanese protesters set fires and broke windows at Beirut.

• Earthquake: On February 8, 2023, an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.2 struck 19 km ENE of Bcharré, Lebanon.

• Presidential Vote Collapses: Parliament failed for a 12th time to elect someone to fill the post reserved for a Maronite Christian under the countrys sectarian system. The standoff has opened a fresh sectarian fault line, pitting the Iran-backed, heavily armed Shiite Muslim Hezbollah against Chri...