At least 30,000 displaced people have sought protection in shelters across Lebanon following an escalation in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, the United Nations refugee agency said on Tuesday, and added that many more were expected to join them.
The Israeli military has conducted intense air strikes across the country since Monday, prompting mass evacuations of people from areas. This military action followed Hezbollah rocket fire aimed at Israel late on Sunday, which occurred in reaction to U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran.
"Conservative estimates suggest that nearly 30,000 people were hosted and registered at collective shelters," said UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch.
"Many more slept in their cars on the side of roads or were still stuck in traffic jams," he added.
Shelter capacity and refugee movement
The U.N. World Food Program expects the number of displaced individuals to rise significantly in the coming days. The Lebanese government said it has opened 21 official shelters to accommodate the growing numbers, though it said that resources remain stretched.
The UNHCR also reported a sudden increase in Syrian refugees moving from Lebanon back into Syria to escape the violence. The agency is implementing a contingency plan to manage a potential further influx of people crossing the border.
Lebanon hosts approximately 1.5 million Syrians alongside a domestic population of 4 million, representing the highest concentration of refugees per capita globally. Most of the 6 million Syrians who fled the 2011 conflict sought refuge in neighbouring countries such as Türkiye, Lebanon, and Jordan.
The current conflict exacerbates a severe, years-long economic collapse that has already pushed much of the Lebanese population into poverty. The country has struggled to maintain basic public services following compounding disasters, including the 2020 Beirut port explosion and widespread political instability.
Humanitarian organisations warn that the national infrastructure is ill-equipped to handle a new wave of mass displacement. Essential resources such as clean water, fuel, and medical supplies were already in short supply before the recent military escalation.
UNICEF warned that children in Lebanon's densely populated residential areas are at immediate risk from the ongoing air strikes. The agency reported that seven children have been killed and 38 injured since Monday, with casualty numbers expected to climb.
"Each new escalation expands the circle of harm. Residential areas, schools and critical infrastructure are being affected," UNICEF spokesperson Ricardo Pires said.
He emphasised that each new escalation expands the circle of harm, leaving vulnerable families with nowhere safe to turn.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected a German proposal to grant Ukraine “associate” membership of the European Union, warning it w...
The United States is stepping up its efforts to rebuild ties with India, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio using his visit to New Delhi to promote e...
An interactive map showcasing the Christian heritage of Caucasian Albania in Garabagh was presented in London this week, highlighting Azerbaijan’...
The 13th edition of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) held in Baku showed Azerbaijan’s “meaningful contribution to multilateralism,” the country’s...
The nomination of Russian-Armenian businessman Ruben Vardanyan for the 2026 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize has triggered criticism....
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Washington was prepared to launch further attacks on Tehran if Iran rejected a peace deal. However, he added that the U.S. could wait a few days to “get the right answers."
U.S. President Donald Trump says China's Xi Jinping agreed Iran must reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran prepares a new shipping mechanism. Tensions over the U.S. blockade and stalled nuclear talks continue to disrupt global oil supplies.
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 45-day extension of a ceasefire that has reduced fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The agreement came as two days of Washington-facilitated talks concluded with a decision to hold further meetings in the coming weeks.
Kuwait arrested four members of an IRGC-linked group as they tried to enter the country by sea, the Gulf state's KUNA news agency reported on Tuesday. Meanwhile, a senior IRGC officer said Iran had expanded its definition of the Strait of Hormuz to include a far wider area.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said Belarus will not be dragged into the war in Ukraine, while also stressing that Minsk and Moscow would jointly respond to any aggression against them.
Fighting in the Russia–Ukraine war has intensified sharply, with both sides launching significant strikes far beyond the front lines as the conflict enters its 1,549th day.
As the 13th edition of the World Urban Forum ended, Azerbaijan's Pavilion showcased reconstruction efforts in its liberated territories and foregrounded the importance of mine removal in resettlement efforts.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 23rd May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A French appeals court has found Airbus and Air France guilty of corporate manslaughter over the 2009 Rio–Paris crash, marking a major development in a case that has stretched on for 17 years.
Archaeologists in Kyrgyzstan’s Naryn region are uncovering medieval bathhouses, mausoleums and ancient Silk Road settlements, while warning that many historical sites are rapidly deteriorating because of weather and erosion.
An interactive map showcasing the Christian heritage of Caucasian Albania in Garabagh was presented in London this week, highlighting Azerbaijan’s efforts to preserve and promote the religious and cultural legacy of the region.
The nomination of Russian-Armenian businessman Ruben Vardanyan for the 2026 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize has triggered criticism.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday (22 May) on the sidelines of a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in the Swedish city of Helsingborg.
Traditional pottery from Gijduvan has officially received geographical indication status in Uzbekistan, recognising the centuries-old craft as a product closely linked to its region of origin and cultural heritage.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment