Just hours prior, UN Secretary-General António Guterres alerted the Security Council to escalating violence in Lebanon, stating that “hell is breaking loose” along the UN-monitored separation line, with recent exchanges of fire exhibiting greater “scope, depth, and intensity” than before. This warning coincided with US President Joe Biden’s address to global leaders at UN headquarters on Wednesday, where he indicated the potential for an “all-out” war between Hezbollah and Israel. Meanwhile, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, reported people fleeing Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions in the early hours of Thursday, following missile attacks aimed at Israel, including a first attempted strike on Tel Aviv.
The head of UN Peacekeeping, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, expressed serious concern in a video message from New York on Thursday, stating, “I am deeply troubled by the significant escalation along the blue line. As the Secretary-General remarked at last night’s Security Council session, ‘Hell is breaking loose in Lebanon, and we should all be alarmed by the escalation.’” He emphasized the extreme danger faced by both Lebanese and Israeli civilians, noting that in recent days, hundreds have died and thousands have been injured, putting regional security and stability at risk.
Gonzalo Vargas Llosa, the UNHCR Representative in Syria, reported that “literally thousands of families from both Syria and Lebanon are crossing into Syria… including women, children, and men.” This statement came as the Israeli military announced overnight strikes on over 70 targets in eastern Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon, areas identified as Hezbollah strongholds.
At the border, where vehicles piled high with belongings awaited processing, Mr. Vargas Llosa noted that the UNHCR was collaborating with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to provide essential supplies such as water, food, blankets, and mattresses for those who would be spending the night at the border.
Media sources indicate that a proposed 21-day ceasefire put forth by the US, France, and several Arab nations has been rejected by members of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government. Recent figures from Lebanon’s interior ministry reveal that approximately 70,100 internally displaced individuals are currently registered across 533 government-managed centers. According to Lebanese authorities, around 500,000 people have been displaced due to ongoing conflicts between Hezbollah and Israel.
The UNHCR stated it continues to work closely with local authorities and other humanitarian organizations to assist those displaced within Lebanon. “Our teams are prepared to aid more civilians fleeing airstrikes by offering shelter, healthcare, and psychosocial support,” the UN agency reported on Thursday. In a show of solidarity with those affected, UNICEF has called for “more shelters and increased funding” to deliver vital assistance. “We are actively distributing emergency hygiene kits, blankets, sleeping bags, and dignity kits within displacement shelters. Our team is working diligently to support displaced families,” a UNICEF representative stated.
As reported by Lebanese authorities, UNHCR noted that over 90,000 individuals have been displaced since September 23, with the situation worsening by the minute. The most recent violence has resulted in over 600 fatalities and 1,835 injuries.
