Past few weeks have been 'deadliest, most devastating' for Lebanon: UN refugee agency

GENEVA

The UN refugee agency UNHCR on Friday highlighted the worsening situation in Lebanon, saying the past few weeks have been "deadliest" in the country.

"The past few weeks have been the deadliest and most devastating for Lebanon and its people in decades, with Israel dramatically intensifying its airstrikes and ground incursions, deepening the humanitarian catastrophe for civilians," Ivo Freijsen, UNHCR representative in Lebanon, told a UN briefing in Geneva.

Freijsen noted that more than 3,500 people have been killed, 15,000 wounded, and an estimated 1.3 million directly impacted and uprooted from their homes since the escalation of hostilities.

"While today marks Lebanon’s Independence Day, it is alas overshadowed by sadness and growing anxiety," he said.

He voiced concern over the arrival of winter by saying: "As temperatures plummet, we fear humanitarian conditions for those displaced will worsen."

Cold weather and heavy rains are "exacerbating the plight of a huge number of vulnerable people," who have been forced to flee their homes, he said, adding that most pressing needs are adequate shelter and winter assistance.

He called for an urgent cease-fire to stop the spiraling violence and said: "We are urging the international community to stand by Lebanon and urgently provide much-needed funding to help everyone affected, including those who have fled to Syria and beyond."

'Deadly situation' in Lebanon

UNHCR representative in Syria Gonzalo Vargas Llosa, for his part, said that the number of people who crossed to Syria due to the "deadly situation" in Lebanon surpassed 557,000 in recent weeks.

"Despite attacks and damage caused by Israeli airstrikes on a number of border crossings and roads, people continue to flee the intensified bombardments in Lebanon, mainly on foot," he said.

According to the representative, most new arrivals -- 80% -- are women and children, while 41% are in female-headed families.

Some arrivals, including children and older people, bear injuries from their arduous journeys or bombardments, he said and added that many require emergency assistance including food, shelter, health care, legal aid, and clothing.

Many of the Syrians returning have indicated an intention to head back to their areas of origin, such as Aleppo, Homs, Sweida, and Tartous, with some making their way to the northwest and northeast, he said. "They are arriving in communities that have been battered by the enduring crisis in Syria."

"Airstrikes near border crossings jeopardize people’s ability and right to flee the conflict in Lebanon," he stressed.

He underlined that two in three people in Syria need humanitarian assistance and over 7 million are still displaced inside the country.

"The situation in Syria needs more than an emergency response," he said. "We need a different approach to address immediate humanitarian needs whilst also prioritizing resilience-building to restore livelihoods and empower people to become self-sufficient and help make the return of refugees who have crossed back sustainable and dignified".

Israel has engaged in cross-border warfare with Lebanon, launching an air campaign in late September against what it claims are Hezbollah targets.

Nearly 3,600 people have been killed by Israeli attacks in Lebanon, with more than 5,000 injured and over 1 million displaced since last October, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Tel Aviv on Oct. 1 expanded the conflict by launching a ground assault into southern Lebanon.