Health risks emerge as ceasefire allows some humanitarian relief

Aid agencies in Lebanon have sprung into action after the establishment of a fragile ceasefire that had, as the BMJ went to press, lasted 36 hours. Roads to the south of the country, almost deserted a few days ago, became huge traffic jams as hundreds of thousands of displaced residents sought to negotiate their way past bomb craters to reach their homes, along with aid convoys heading south. Meanwhile hundreds of thousands of Israelis from northern towns emerged from their shelters, defying government advice to remain inside.

“Thanks to the ceasefire, there are no more isolated, cutoff regions,” said UN humanitarian coordinator David Shearer.

Dr Nejib Nimah, Unicef's assistant health officer in …