Geneva: In a distressing development, thousands of families from Lebanon and Syria have been compelled to flee their homes due to the relentless Israeli airstrikes, as reported by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Wednesday.
The UN Refugee Agency has issued a statement detailing the dire situation at the Syrian border. It has been observed that hundreds of vehicles have been stranded in long queues, with many individuals resorting to walking with whatever possessions they manage to carry. The report also mentions the presence of large crowds, including vulnerable groups such as women, children, and infants, who have been waiting in line overnight in the face of plummeting temperatures. The statement further notes that some individuals have sustained recent injuries due to the recent bombardments.
Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, has expressed profound concern regarding the escalating violence, highlighting the significant impact it is having, leading to the displacement of tens of thousands of individuals from their dwellings. He has shed light on the challenges faced by families who had previously sought refuge in Syria, only to be subjected to bombings within the country they had hoped to find safety. Grandi has called upon the global community to avert further scenes of despair and destruction, cautioning against the possibility of another displacement crisis in the Middle East. He has underscored the paramount importance of protecting civilian lives.
Israel has initiated its most extensive military operations in Lebanon since 2006, commencing on Monday. These operations have resulted in over 550 fatalities and more than 1,800 injuries across the country, compelling thousands of residents to abandon their homes.
In response to this crisis, the UNHCR, in collaboration with its partners, has been stationed at the border crossings to provide essential supplies to the refugees, including food, water, blankets, and mattresses, as detailed in the statement.
