Escalating Crisis: Over 90,000 Displaced in Lebanon Amid Israeli Raids
The United Nations has reported a significant humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, with over 90,000 people displaced due to heavy Israeli airstrikes targeting various regions. This escalation comes amid ongoing tensions with Hezbollah, raising alarms about the potential for a new displacement crisis in the Middle East. According to the International Organization for Migration, approximately 90,530 individuals have been forced to flee their homes, with 40,000 seeking refuge in 283 shelters across the country.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib highlighted the severity of the situation, stating that the number of displaced Lebanese could soon approach half a million. Before the recent Israeli offensives, Lebanon was already hosting around 110,000 displaced individuals, primarily from the Syrian conflict. The Foreign Minister's remarks were made during an event at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in New York, coinciding with the UN General Assembly meetings.
Urgent Warnings from UN Officials
UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, has expressed grave concerns regarding the ongoing displacement crisis. He emphasized that the Middle East cannot endure another wave of mass displacement, particularly as many families who fled the Syrian war are now facing bombing in Lebanon. Grandi stated, "Let's not create a crisis by forcing more people to leave their homes," underscoring the dire consequences of the current conflict.
The UN Commission has noted that the relentless Israeli airstrikes have devastated civilian lives, prompting many Lebanese and Syrian families to flee back to Syria in search of safety. The commission has ramped up its support for the increasing number of displaced individuals, with hundreds of vehicles reportedly waiting at the Syrian-Lebanese border. Lebanon currently hosts about 1.5 million Syrians, in addition to over 11,000 refugees from other nations.
The situation has escalated dramatically since Monday, with the Israeli military launching one of its most extensive attacks on Lebanon in recent months. Reports indicate that over 600 individuals, including women and children, have lost their lives, while nearly 1,930 have been injured. The Lebanese authorities estimate that about 390,000 people have been displaced as a direct result of the conflict, which has intensified since October 8, leading to daily exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah. This ongoing confrontation is part of a broader regional conflict that has seen devastating impacts, particularly in Gaza, where the toll has reached over 137,000 casualties since October 7.
