UNHCR: Lebanon crisis deepens as Israeli airstrikes intensify
GENEVA – The escalating conflict and intensified Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon are taking an increasingly devastating toll on civilians in the country, pushing more people to flee to Syria.
More people are being displaced in Lebanon every day. On Monday, 20 villages in south Lebanon were ordered to evacuate; a quarter of Lebanon is now under Israeli military evacuation orders. Heeding the orders, many families are fleeing to open public spaces, desperate to escape the bombs but struggling to find shelter. The Government of Lebanon estimates that 1.2 million people have been displaced.
The crisis continues to spill into Syria. Syrian refugees, who had previously sought safety in Lebanon, are once again on the run for their lives. As of 12 October, over 283,000 people had crossed from Lebanon; 70 per cent Syrians and the remainder Lebanese and a few other nationals.
