Israel and Lebanon are once again entangled in conflict, and the impact on civilians, particularly among the refugee population, is severe. Starting October 2023, violence surged, with Israel ramping up its military offensive against Hezbollah. The intensity of air strikes across Lebanon has led to mass displacement, reviving memories of the traumatic past for many residents. Displaced civilians, including both Lebanese nationals and Syrian refugees, now confront the dilemma of survival amid chaos.
Official estimates indicate over 1.2 million people have been displaced since late September, marking one of the most severe humanitarian crises Lebanon has faced since the civil war. Among these, approximately 34,000 are Syrians who have been displaced for a second time. This situation emerges against the backdrop of Lebanon already hosting around 1.5 million Syrian refugees, leading to unprecedented challenges as the country grapples with a deteriorated economic state and increased anti-Syrian sentiment.
Syrian refugees fleeing the latest violence are caught between two wars: the current Israeli strikes and the risks associated with returning home to Syria, where violence, persecution, and the threat of conscription await them. For many, the choice to stay, with looming economic collapse and societal hostility, or return to Syria seems impossible.
Reports indicate around 500,000 individuals have crossed back to Syria. Still, many who do so risk being caught by the Syrian regime, which has been accused of persecuting returning refugees, including activists and former military personnel. Lebanese authorities’ claims of providing safety need rigorous third-party oversight to prevent severe human rights abuses against returnees.
For the refugees remaining within Lebanon, the capacity for shelter has reached its limits. Many municipalities have barred them from accessing shelters, targeting them with evictions and threats should they host newly displaced families. The humanitarian conditions are undeniably harsh—the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported on the inability of many Syrians to secure basic assistance or even access to makeshift shelter.
The dire humanitarian situation has compelled local organizations, including MedGlobal, to advocate for equal access to aid, stressing the urgency of addressing the needs of displaced populations, regardless of their nationality. Unfortunately, many displaced families of Syrian origin find themselves turned away from shelters and medical facilities due to increasingly prevalent anti-Syrian sentiment.
Lisa Abou Khaled, spokesperson for UNHCR, stated, "Refugees who have fled their homeland in search of safety and security are now facing the reality of being displaced once again in Lebanon due to the hostilities." Many refugees have resorted to makeshift camps, abandoned buildings, or sleeping outdoors as winter sets in, adding another layer of life's challenges amid conflict.
At the same time, international dynamics play out against this crisis, with reports describing Israeli forces targeting significant Hezbollah strongholds and targeting civilian infrastructure, leading to increasing civilian casualties. The Israeli military is focusing on dismantling Hezbollah's weaponry and operational capabilities, leading to scores of strikes across various Lebanese regions.
Unfortunately, these attacks often result in collateral damage, with civilians, including women and children, paying the ultimate price. Gabriel Shachor, who witnessed one such bomb strike, recounted the terror of being under bombardment, saying, "The sound of explosions was all around. We had nowhere to run. My family and I were just trying to survive here.”
Hezbollah soldiers, entrenched along the border between the two nations, retaliate frequently, firing rockets and engaging Israeli military positions. This tit-for-tat warfare continues to endanger innocent lives and strangles any prospects of peace, as each side ramps up its military engagements to the detriment of civilians caught up in the crossfire.
The international community has expressed concern over the rapid developments, with conflicting narratives from both Israel and Lebanon complicate the situation. The suffering of the civilian population is palpable, with calls for ceasefire overshadowed by military strategies. Humanitarian gestures from international organizations are often overshadowed by political posturing, leading many to call for urgent humanitarian responses to allow safe passage and aid to those most affected.
With the UN Security Council condemning attacks on peacekeeping forces and calling for ceasefires to allow humanitarian access, the situation remains precarious. The road to any form of stability appears rocky as the military operations continue, and the humanitarian crisis deepens. Civilians, both Lebanese and Syrian, are left to endure the brunt of decisions made far beyond their control.
For now, the plight of the displaced and the imminent dangers they face serve as grim reminders of the dire consequences of sustained conflict. The time has come for clarity over futures marred by violence, as urgency abounds for global, regional, and local efforts to mitigate the humanitarian catastrophe wreaking havoc on lives.
