New York (United Nations) – Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, warned that the Middle East cannot bear the weight of a new displacement crisis, as thousands of Lebanese and Syrians flee toward Syria following the Zionist aggression on Lebanon. Grandi highlighted that many of these individuals arrived on foot, with large crowds of women, children, and infants waiting in line after spending the night in freezing conditions.
Speaking through the UN Information Centre on Thursday, Grandi emphasized that the bloodshed is causing immense suffering, forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes. He added, “We must avoid witnessing these scenes of despair and destruction again. The Middle East cannot withstand another displacement crisis. Let’s not force more people to leave their homes. Protecting civilian lives must be the top priority.”
The UNHCR has reported its presence at border crossings alongside partners, including the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, providing food, water, blankets, and bedding to those arriving and directing them to available support in Syria. However, the humanitarian situation in Syria remains dire, following the devastating 2023 earthquake and the ongoing conflict, which has crippled critical infrastructure and left millions of Syrians in need.
Lebanese Minister of Environment and Head of the Emergency Committee, Nasser Yassin, confirmed that around 200,000 people have been displaced due to the Zionist attacks on Lebanon over the past week.
It is worth noting that Lebanon already hosts an estimated 1.5 million Syrian refugees, over 11,000 refugees from other countries, and hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees.
Since last Monday, the Zionist army has launched an unprecedented and intense offensive on Lebanon, targeting border villages and infrastructure. Hundreds of civilians have been killed or wounded, prompting mass displacement from the affected areas.
For more information, visit dzwatch.dz
Author name: nor-eleslam
Middle East displacement crisis
