Deadly Israeli strikes force 130,000 to flee Lebanon
Mass displacement into Syria grows as Israeli attacks intensify, exposing humanitarian fallout of US-backed regional war
BEIRUT, Lebanon (MNTV) — More than 130,000 people have fled Lebanon into neighboring Syria since early March, as escalating Israeli attacks — backed by the United States — deepen the humanitarian crisis across the region.
According to the International Organization for Migration, the surge in cross-border movement highlights how rapidly the expanding war is forcing civilians to abandon their homes.
Most of those crossing into Syria between March 2 and 18 were Syrian nationals who had previously sought refuge in Lebanon and are now being displaced once again.
Many of the displaced are taking shelter with relatives or living in temporary conditions, requiring urgent assistance including food, housing and financial support, the agency said.
Lebanese citizens are also among those fleeing, though entry into Syria is restricted by conditions such as permits, family ties or property ownership, limiting their ability to escape the violence.
The escalation comes as deadly Israeli airstrikes continue to pound densely populated areas, particularly in Beirut and southern Lebanon, triggering widespread destruction and displacement.
More than one million people have reportedly been internally displaced within Lebanon since the latest phase of the conflict began.
Lebanon had already been hosting a large refugee population, with over half a million Syrians officially registered with the United Nations Human Rights Council, while local authorities estimate the actual number exceeds one million.
Aid agencies warn that the renewed displacement is compounding an already fragile humanitarian situation, as civilians are once again forced into cycles of displacement driven by escalating military actions.
The IOM noted that many of the movements appear to be precautionary, with families fleeing ongoing bombardment while waiting to see how the conflict evolves — a reflection of the deep uncertainty caused by continued Israeli strikes and the broader US-backed military campaign in the region.
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