BEIRUT – Israeli air strikes and evacuation orders have forced nearly 700,000 people to flee in Lebanon in just over a week. According to the United Nations, over 100,000 left within a single day.
Karolina Lindholm Billing, the UNHCR representative in Lebanon, said, “Lives have been upended on a massive scale.” She explained that air raids and warnings in dozens of villages forced families to evacuate within minutes. “More than 667,000 people in Lebanon have registered as displaced on the government’s online platform,” she added.
The rapid displacement exceeds the pace seen during Israel’s last conflict with Hezbollah in 2024. Lebanon’s disaster management unit reported 759,300 people registered as displaced, including 122,600 in government shelters. About 120,000 are staying in collective shelters, while others have sought refuge with relatives or friends.
“Many of these people, some displaced for the second time since the 2024 hostilities, fled with almost nothing,” Lindholm Billing said. They have sought safety in Beirut, Mount Lebanon, northern districts, and the Beqaa region.
The World Health Organization warned that overcrowding in shelters and host homes is raising public health risks. Potential issues include disease outbreaks, disruptions to routine medical services, and interruptions in care for chronic illnesses, maternal health, and mental health conditions.
Since March 2, Israeli attacks have killed at least 486 people and wounded over 1,300 in Lebanon, according to authorities. Fresh strikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs and southern Lebanon after new evacuation warnings were issued.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that Israeli warplanes targeted Hezbollah-controlled areas in the southern suburbs. Additional strikes were reported near Tyre, the coastal city of Sidon, and other southern locations.
Israel, which continues operations despite a 2024 ceasefire, has also deployed ground troops near the border. Officials warn that displacement and ongoing strikes may worsen humanitarian and public health crises across Lebanon.
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Authorities in Lebanon and international agencies continue monitoring the situation closely while providing aid to displaced families, emphasizing the urgent need for safe shelter and medical support.
