UN official: More than a million people have been displaced as a result of the Israeli aggression on Lebanon

The extensive and violent Israeli offensive on Lebanon has displaced more than one million people in the past month, representing nearly a fifth of the country’s population, a dangerous indicator of the widening humanitarian catastrophe, according to a UN official.

The spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Babar Baloch, said the situation in Lebanon is “extremely worrying,” with the humanitarian situation deteriorating daily as a result of the ongoing Israeli aggression.

Since March 2, Israel has escalated its aggression against Lebanon in the context of the repercussions of the war it has been waging, with US support, against Iran since February 28, a war that has left thousands dead and wounded.

Baloch explained that last month saw Israeli evacuation orders followed by direct attacks, leading to the continuous movement of residents within Lebanese territory amidst unstable and dangerous conditions.

He noted that the majority of the displaced are living in a state of destitution and have suffered severe psychological trauma, while many are residing in collective shelters that lack even the most basic necessities.

In addition to the internal displacement, Balouch revealed that more than 200,000 people left Lebanon for Syria in the past month, including approximately 180,000 Syrian refugees and more than 20,000 Lebanese.

He explained that around 7,000 people cross into Syria daily, a situation reflecting the worsening humanitarian crisis and the dire conditions faced by civilians.

He affirmed that UNHCR and its partners continue to provide humanitarian assistance, noting the distribution of relief supplies to approximately 200,000 people, amidst growing needs affecting both Lebanese and Syrian refugees.

He pointed out that humanitarian workers face difficult and dangerous conditions while carrying out their duties, emphasizing that UNHCR will maintain its presence in Lebanon despite the challenges.

UNHCR, in cooperation with relief organizations, launched a humanitarian appeal to raise more than $60 million to support ongoing operations, with an estimated need of more than $300 million in the coming months to meet the needs of displaced persons and refugees.

In a related context, Baloch addressed the situation in Iran, where estimates indicate that more than 3 million people have been displaced within the country in the past month.

He explained that Iran is hosting approximately 1.6 million Afghan refugees, noting that migration to neighboring countries remains at previous levels despite the escalation, with no large-scale refugee influx recorded so far.