Escalating Conflict Forces Mass Displacement in Lebanon as Israel Intensifies Air Strikes
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati has reported that ongoing air strikes by Israel have displaced an estimated one million people across the country. This represents one of the largest displacement movements recorded amid the recent escalation of violence.
The Lebanese Health Ministry has confirmed more than 50 fatalities linked to air strikes conducted on Sunday, following the assassination of a prominent Hezbollah leader in Beirut. In retaliation, Hezbollah has intensified rocket attacks on northern Israel.
In a significant development, Israel announced it has executed large-scale air strikes targeting military assets affiliated with the Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen.
The strikes on Sunday also resulted in the deaths of key Hezbollah figures, including military commander Ali Karaki and senior cleric Sheikh Nabil Qaouk. Israeli military officials have articulated the necessity of continued operations against Hezbollah.
Additionally, an overnight strike in Beirut’s Kola neighborhood claimed the lives of three members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), an organization recognized by the UN as the official representative of Palestinians but classified as a terrorist group by the US and EU.
Prime Minister Mikati stated that the wave of air strikes has driven thousands to flee from major urban centers and southern border regions. As local authorities grapple with the increasing humanitarian crisis, shelters and hospitals are facing overwhelming demand.
Eyewitness accounts reveal dire conditions; residents describe fleeing their homes and enduring precarious living situations. One woman recounted her family’s flight from Beirut’s Tahweetet al-Ghadir suburb, sharing the overwhelming destruction in her neighborhood and their struggle for basic necessities.
The violence spiked dramatically on October 8, 2023, following a surprise attack on Israel from Gaza, which prompted Hezbollah’s aggressive response. Since this escalation, extensive casualties have been reported on both sides, displacing tens of thousands.
In another front, Israel has directed air strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen, attacking essential infrastructure, including power plants and ports, purportedly in response to missile threats against its territory. The Houthis condemned these actions as "brutal aggression," affirming their intent for retaliation.
There are rising international concerns about the potential for a broader conflict in the Middle East, with warnings from Washington cautioning Israel against escalating hostilities with Hezbollah or Iran, highlighting the risks involved for Israeli civilians in the northern regions.
