Significant Outflow from Lebanon to Syria Amid Intensified Conflict with Israel

Since September 23, nearly 472,000 people have fled Lebanon for Syria due to escalating military conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah, according to a UNHCR report. The majority of those fleeing are minors. Israel’s military operations have resulted in significant casualties in Lebanon, while Syrian authorities have maintained an open-border policy, albeit under perilous conditions caused by ongoing airstrikes.

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has resulted in a significant outflow of individuals from Lebanon to Syria, with approximately 472,000 people having fled since September 23, as reported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This number includes 32,829 Lebanese refugees and 216,369 Syrian refugees who had previously sought refuge in Lebanon during its civil strife. Many of these individuals are now returning to Syria due to the deteriorating security situation in Lebanon. The majority of the displaced persons are from southern Lebanon, where Israeli military operations are being conducted intensively. The recent escalation in violence follows the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, leading to a broad military response from Israeli forces, which has now extended to strikes on Lebanon. The Lebanese Ministry of Health reports that at least 2,897 people have died and 13,402 have been injured in Lebanon due to the conflict. Alarmingly, 60 percent of those fleeing Lebanon are minors, alongside individuals with special needs, disabilities, and chronic illnesses. The Syrian government has maintained an open-border policy, facilitating the movement of people through four principal border crossings: Jdaidet Yabous in rural Damascus, and the crossings at Joussieh, Daboussieh, and Jesr Al Qmar in Homs, as well as Al Arida in Tartous. However, Israeli airstrikes have targeted these crossings, compromising infrastructure and forcing many to traverse the border on foot, often amid hazardous conditions. The tensions escalated following clashes that erupted on October 8, 2023, when Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel in support of Hamas. According to an AFP count, Hamas’s assault resulted in 1,206 fatalities, primarily among civilians. Concurrently, the Israeli counter-offensive has led to the deaths of at least 43,314 Palestinians, the majority of whom have been civilians, according to the health ministry in Gaza, considered reliable by the United Nations.

The humanitarian crisis in Lebanon is rooted in ongoing conflict and instability, primarily exacerbated by the October 7, 2023, assault by Hamas against Israel, which provoked a formidable military response. The UNHCR’s report highlights the dire conditions prompting a mass exodus to Syria. The complexity of the situation is intensified by the historical context of Lebanon harboring a large number of Syrian refugees due to its own internal conflicts. The situation is further compounded by targeted military actions from Israel aimed at both Hamas and Hezbollah, leading to significant casualties and a humanitarian crisis.

In summary, the tumultuous conflict in the region has triggered a substantial refugee crisis, with nearly half a million individuals fleeing Lebanon for Syria, primarily due to increased violence from Israeli military operations targeting Hezbollah. The demographic impact of this crisis is particularly acute among children, who constitute a significant portion of the displaced population. The ongoing hostilities between Israel and various militant groups continue to exacerbate the situation, emphasizing the urgent need for international humanitarian assistance and intervention.

Original Source: english.alarabiya.net