At least 30,000 displaced in Lebanon as Israel–Hezbollah fighting escalates, says UN

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Beirut: At least 30,000 people have been displaced and are now sheltering in collective centres across Lebanon following the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said on Tuesday.

UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch said “conservative estimates” indicate that nearly 30,000 people have been hosted and registered in collective shelters so far. He added that many others were forced to spend the night in their cars along roadsides or remained stranded in traffic jams while attempting to flee affected areas.

The displacement comes as the conflict has widened into Lebanon, after Hezbollah launched missiles and drones toward Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, prompting heavy Israeli airstrikes and a ground incursion into Lebanese territory, according to the United Nations.

Meanwhile, Israel’s defence minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had approved plans for the Israel Defense Forces to advance and seize additional areas inside Lebanon in an effort to prevent further rocket fire on Israeli border communities.

Humanitarian agencies have warned that the rapid spread of fighting is placing growing pressure on Lebanon’s already strained infrastructure, as thousands of newly displaced families seek shelter and basic assistance amid continuing military operations.