At least 100,000 people have crossed from Lebanon into Syria fleeing Israel’s bombardment, said the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Filippo Grandi.
“The number of people who have crossed into Syria from Lebanon fleeing Israeli airstrikes – Lebanese and Syrian nationals – has reached 100,000. The outflow continues,” he added in a post on X on Monday.
He pointed out that UNHCR’s officials are operating at four crossing points along with local authorities and the Syrian Red Crescent.
Grandi had stated in another post on Sunday that more than 200,000 people were internally displaced in Lebanon due to Israeli attacks.
Grandi revealed that more than 50,000 Lebanese and Syrians in Lebanon crossed into Syria to escape the Israeli airstrikes.
He added: “More than 200,000 people have been displaced inside Lebanon.” The UN Commissioner did not mention how long these numbers have been displaced internally and externally.
Since last Monday, the Israeli occupation army has launched the “most violent and extensive” attack on Lebanon since the beginning of the confrontations with “Hezbollah” about a year ago.
Hezbollah and Palestinian factions in Lebanon are calling for an end to the genocide war that the Israeli occupation, backed by the United States, has been waging on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023. In the midst of widespread destruction and a deadly famine, this war has left over 137,000 Palestinians dead or wounded, the majority of them women and children, and over 10,000 reported missing.
It is important to remember that civilians are protected by international law in conflict zones. Targeting civilians directly or indirectly is a serious crime that calls for a thorough investigation to identify and apprehend those guilty.
