Escalating Israel-Hezbollah Conflict Causes Massive Displacement in Lebanon
As fighting between Israel and Hezbollah increases, so does the number of displaced people in Lebanon. The recent intensification of Israeli attacks has dramatically escalated the humanitarian crisis in the country, with the UN Refugee Agency reporting more than 200,000 internally displaced people in Lebanon since October 2023, half of whom were displaced within the last week alone. Furthermore, over 30,000 individuals have fled to neighboring Syria.
Voice of the Displaced: Feryal Mehsen’s Story
“The rocket fell in front of me. I was shocked. I couldn’t hear or see anything after that. There was dust everywhere,” recounts Feryal Mehsen, a Lebanese woman displaced for the second time due to Israeli fire. Mehsen sought refuge in a school converted into a shelter in Beirut after airstrikes hit her home in Seddiqine, southern Lebanon.
REUTERS – Emilie Madi
“When I was displaced at that time, I was also in this room. And now, when they displaced me today, I also took refuge in the same building, but in the third room,” Mehsen reflects.
The Intensifying Conflict and Human Toll
The situation has rapidly deteriorated since the conflict reignited on October 8, following Hamas’s attack on Israel, prompting Israeli retaliatory strikes. The intensified airstrikes have resulted in at least 700 fatalities in Lebanon alone. The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, asserts that its military actions aim to protect northern Israeli citizens who have fled due to missiles launched by Hezbollah.
REUTERS – Mohamed Azakir
UN Reports Growing Humanitarian Crisis
The UNHCR expressed deep concern over the escalating violence, characterized as “one of the largest and most violent attacks in decades.” To date, an estimated 1,540 people have lost their lives, including at least one hundred Syrians. On September 23, more than 500 individuals were killed in one day during indiscriminate bombings.
The Humanitarian Response: Outflow to Syria
In light of the ongoing conflict, over 30,000 individuals have crossed into Syria, seeking safety from the bombings. Reports from the border indicate lengthy lines of cars and buses, as well as a growing influx of pedestrians embarking on this perilous journey. Aid workers are providing vital assistance, including food, water, and basic supplies to evacuees.
AP – Omar Sanadiki
Demographics of the Displaced Refugees
The UNHCR reports that children comprise over 50% of the new refugees, highlighting the toll on families caught in the crossfire. Female refugees also represent a significant portion of those fleeing.
Potential Shift in Human Mobility in the Middle East
The changing dynamics in the region are evident as some citizens, previously displaced from Syria to Lebanon, now find themselves returning to Syria seeking refuge from the renewed conflict. This represents a drastic shift in human mobility patterns stemming from prolonged instability in the region.
Case Study: Responding to the Crisis
With ongoing violence and displacement, humanitarian organizations face increasing challenges. The UNHCR and local NGOs are scrambling to provide essential aid, support shelter adaptations, and ensure safe passage for vulnerable populations. They are calling for urgent international assistance to tackle this unprecedented scale of displacement.
The Other Side of the Conflict: Israel’s Experience
Conversely, northern Israel is under significant threat from Hezbollah’s fire. In cities like Haifa, residents are bracing for potential escalations akin to those last seen in the war from nearly two decades ago. The government has fortified public bomb shelters to ensure civilian safety amidst the rising tension.
AP – Baz Ratner
While the Israeli population experiences alerts from air defense systems such as the Iron Dome, the civilian toll in Lebanon vastly outstrips that of Israel, reflecting the stark imbalance of power and protection in this regional conflict.
