Thousands of Lebanese and Syrian families fled Lebanon for Syria as Israeli airstrikes continued, said the Office of the United Nations High...
Thousands of Lebanese and Syrian families fled Lebanon for Syria as Israeli airstrikes continued, said the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Wednesday.
According to a statement issued by the UN Refugee
Agency, hundreds of vehicles were backed up in queues at the Syrian border,
with many people arriving on foot, carrying whatever belongings they could. Large
crowds, including women, children, and babies, reportedly waited in line after
spending the night outdoors in falling temperatures. “Some carry fresh injuries
from the recent bombardments,” the statement added.
Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for
Refugees, expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence, stating that the
bloodshed was taking a heavy toll, displacing tens of thousands of people from
their homes, Xinhua news agency reported.
He highlighted the plight of families who had
previously fled the war in Syria, only to now face bombings in the country
where they had sought refuge. Grandi urged the international community to
prevent further scenes of despair and devastation, warning that the Middle East
could not endure another displacement crisis. He emphasized that protecting
civilian lives must be the top priority.
Israel has carried out its most extensive
bombardment of Lebanon since 2006, starting on Monday, resulting in over 550
deaths and more than 1,800 injuries nationwide. The attacks have also forced
thousands of residents in Lebanon to flee their homes.
The UNHCR, along with its partners, has been
present at border crossings, offering essential supplies such as food, water,
blankets, and mattresses to incoming refugees, said the statement.
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