Medical Aid Arrives In Beirut As Humanitarian Crisis Deepens Amid Intensifying Israeli Strikes

Lebanon faced another night of heavy Israeli airstrikes, leaving its main border crossing into Syria blocked by a dawn attack, according to UN News. This forced those fleeing the violence to navigate a large crater and debris on foot to reach Syria. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) described the situation as dire, with people desperate to escape.

Rula Amin, Senior Communications Advisor for the UNHCR in the Middle East and North Africa, reported from Amman that two strikes created a massive crater between the Syrian and Lebanese sides. She noted that vehicles struggled to pass through this damaged road. Despite these challenges, many people at the Masnaa crossing were determined to leave Lebanon.

The UN International Organisation for Migration (IOM) highlighted that hundreds of thousands have crossed into Syria via this route over the past 10 days. Mathieu Luciano, IOM Head of Office in Lebanon, stated from Beirut that approximately 235,000 individuals had crossed into Syria between 21st September and 3rd October. This group included 82,000 Lebanese and 152,000 Syrians.

Luciano also mentioned that during this period, Lebanese authorities recorded around 50,000 mainly Lebanese and 10,000 Syrians departing from Beirut airport. Additionally, about 1,000 individuals fled by sea. The conflict's escalation has significantly increased displacement numbers.

Since last October, nearly one million people are believed to have been displaced within Lebanon due to rising tensions along the UN-patrolled Blue Line separating Lebanon and Israel. This follows the outbreak of war in Gaza and ongoing exchanges of fire between both sides.

IOM data revealed that by 2nd October, around 400,000 people had been displaced in just two weeks amid continuous Israeli military actions in Lebanon. These operations include ground incursions in southern regions of the country.

The humanitarian crisis continues to worsen as more people seek refuge from escalating violence. The situation remains critical as international organisations strive to provide assistance under challenging conditions.

With inputs from WAM