UNICEF reports nearly 700,000 displaced in Lebanon amid Israeli strikes

BEIRUT: The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has resulted in the displacement of nearly 700,000 people across Lebanon, according to a United Nations agency. The crisis, now in its second week, has seen a significant number of children among those affected.

UNICEF Regional Director Edouard Beigbeder stated, “Mass displacement across Leb­­a­non has forced nearly 700,000 people including around 200,000 children from their homes, adding to the tens of thousands already uprooted from previous escalations.” He further emphasized the toll on children, saying, “Children are being killed and injured at a horrifying rate, families are fleeing their homes in fear, and thousands of children are now sleeping in cold and overcrowded shelters.”

Lebanon, with a population of approximately six million, is experiencing a humanitarian crisis as families continue to seek safety from ongoing hostilities. The displacement has compounded existing challenges, with many families already affected by earlier rounds of conflict.

In addition to the humanitarian impact, the Lebanese parliament has postponed legislative elections for two years. Meanwhile, the Lebanese president has warned that Hezbollah’s actions risk the collapse of the state, and has suggested the need for a comprehensive truce and direct negotiations to resolve the situation.

As the conflict persists, aid agencies and local authorities are working to provide support to those displaced, particularly vulnerable children and families now residing in temporary shelters.