BEIRUT: The number of displaced people seeking shelter across Beirut is rising sharply as Israeli military operations against Hezbollah intensify across Lebanon, deepening fears of an emerging humanitarian crisis.
Lebanon was drawn into the regional conflict last week when Hezbollah attacked Israel in response to the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes on Feb. 28.
Since then, Israeli forces have expanded evacuation warnings to areas deeper inside Lebanon, signaling the possibility of further military incursions.
Authorities say the displacement is growing at a staggering pace. Officials at the Disaster Risk Management Unit expect the total number of displaced people to exceed one million, with tens of thousands not yet registered with the Ministry of Social Affairs.
Fadi Baghdadi, a member of the Disaster Risk Management Unit, told Arab News: “The number of displaced people in Beirut has reached 49,600, comprising 11,248 families spread across 150 state schools that have opened their doors to them.”
