The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi has reported that 250,000 people have crossed from Lebanon into Syria due to the continued Israeli aerial and ground attacks. This migration follows the intensified airstrikes that began on September 23, targeting southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and Baalbek regions.
UN’s Efforts to Aid Displaced Persons
Grandi, who recently visited the Syria-Lebanon border, shared updates on social media platform X regarding the ongoing crisis. He stated, “Since September 23, with the increase in Israeli airstrikes, 250,000 people have crossed the Syria-Lebanon border. Local authorities, the Syrian Red Crescent, the UN, and its partners are working 24/7 to ensure a humane and efficient reception.” The collaboration between these organizations aims to manage the influx of displaced individuals.
Casualties and Impact on Lebanon
The attacks, which started on October 8, 2023, have resulted in over 2,083 deaths in Lebanon, including 104 children and 194 women, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health. The Israeli military has conducted hundreds of airstrikes on southern Lebanese towns, causing mass displacement. The conflict, which began with controlled clashes between the Israeli army and Hezbollah, has escalated in recent months.
Hezbollah’s Response and Displacement Crisis
Following the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut on September 27, Hezbollah has retaliated by launching rockets and missiles at Israeli military bases. While these strikes have primarily targeted military sites, the overall damage on the Israeli side has been minimal.
As a result of the continued airstrikes, hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced within Lebanon. Many have fled from southern regions to the capital, Beirut, while tens of thousands have crossed into Syria seeking safety.
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