Today, a surge of displaced individuals crossed from Lebanon into Syria, fleeing intense Israeli airstrikes that have devastated southern and eastern Lebanon. According to a Syrian security source, around 500 people made the perilous journey through the Qusayr and Daboussieh crossings between Monday afternoon and midnight. The influx of cars, predominantly with Lebanese license plates, has been noted at the Masnaa border crossing, with many passengers transporting their belongings as they seek refuge with friends and relatives in the Homs region and the suburbs of Damascus.
Driver Osama Bilal reported a significant increase in traffic at the border, highlighting the distressing situation as families escape the violence. Among the displaced is the Makki family, who fled Baalbek, a region heavily targeted during the recent attacks. Firas Makki, a 39-year-old father, described the devastation in Baalbek, stating, 'There is not a single town in Baalbek that has not been targeted.' He lamented the loss experienced during the current conflict, drawing parallels to the 2006 war, which also saw mass displacements of Lebanese civilians.
The ongoing Israeli airstrikes have reportedly resulted in over 560 fatalities, according to Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad. Israel has justified its military actions by claiming to target Hezbollah military installations. The current situation echoes the 2006 conflict, where approximately 250,000 Lebanese fled to Syria, with many still residing in host families or public accommodations.
