An estimated 472,000 individuals have fled Lebanon for Syria since September 23 amid heightened conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The vast majority are children and those with special needs. Israeli airstrikes have escalated the situation, causing significant casualties and forced migrations, particularly from southern Lebanon. UNHCR is documenting this humanitarian crisis as thousands cross into Syria, primarily through several border points despite damaging airstrikes.
According to a report from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), an estimated 472,000 individuals have fled Lebanon for Syria since September 23. This exodus follows the recent escalation of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Among those displaced are 32,829 Lebanese refugees alongside 216,369 Syrian refugees who had previously sought refuge in Lebanon during their own country’s civil war but are now returning due to the increasing instability in Lebanon. The majority of the recent arrivals in Syria have escaped from southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces are conducting intense daily attacks. The spillover effects of Israel’s ongoing military campaign against Hamas in Gaza have extended into Lebanon, intensifying military actions against Hezbollah. As of now, the Lebanese Ministry of Health reports that at least 2,897 people have been killed in Lebanon, with an additional 13,402 sustaining injuries. Approximately 60 percent of those fleeing are minors, including individuals with special needs and chronic illnesses, as revealed by the UNHCR report. In an effort to manage the influx, the Syrian government has implemented an open-border policy, facilitating entry through several official crossing points including Jdaidet Yabous, Joussieh, Daboussieh, Jesr Al Qmar, and Al Arida. However, Israeli airstrikes on critical border crossings have resulted in severe damage to roads, necessitating that many individuals cross on foot while carrying their children and belongings. The conflict escalated significantly when Levi militant factions began launching rockets into Israel on October 8, 2023, in solidarity with Hamas, which had conducted an unprecedented attack against Israel just a day prior. Hamas’s actions have resulted in the deaths of 1,206 individuals, predominantly civilians, according to official Israeli figures. In return, Israel’s continued military response has led to the deaths of an estimated 43,314 Palestinians in Gaza, a majority of whom are also civilians, based on figures from Gaza’s health ministry that the UN regards as reliable.
The recent surge in violence in Lebanon coincides with the broader Israel-Palestine conflict, exacerbated following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Israel’s military response has reportedly led to significant casualties not only in Gaza but also in Lebanon, with ongoing skirmishes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah. The situation has prompted mass displacements, particularly among civilians, who are seeking safety from escalating military actions. The role of the UNHCR is critical in documenting these movements and providing necessary humanitarian assistance to displaced individuals, particularly vulnerable populations such as minors and those with disabilities.
As the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah intensifies, nearly half a million individuals have fled Lebanon for Syria, reflecting the urgent humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region. The UNHCR has highlighted the precarious situation of many refugees, especially minors and those in vulnerable conditions. Continued monitoring and humanitarian assistance are essential as the situation develops further, with both local and international responses required to address the deepening crisis.
Original Source: english.alarabiya.net
