Over 125,000 Flee Lebanon Amid Escalating Israeli Strikes; Half Are Children
Over 125,000 Flee Lebanon Amid Escalating Israeli Strikes; Half Are Children
————————————–
More than 125,000 people, including roughly 62,500 children, have crossed from Lebanon into Syria amid intensified Israeli attacks and escalating conflict with Hezbollah, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
More details in the following report:
According to IOM data, most of those fleeing are Syrian nationals returning home, while around 7,000 are Lebanese, highlighting the widening regional impact of the conflict.
The mass displacement has placed severe pressure on Syria’s already fragile infrastructure and public services, particularly in Ar‑Raqqa, Damascus, and Homs, where many families arrive with little or no resources. Ar‑Raqqa alone has received about 21 per cent of arrivals, many in remote areas where access to food, water, and healthcare is limited. Families urgently require cash assistance, shelter, food, and medical support, according to IOM, which has called for a rapid international scale-up to prevent the crisis from worsening.
The situation reflects a broader humanitarian emergency in Lebanon, where over 1 million people have been displaced, and health authorities report more than 770 deaths since the escalation of Israeli strikes. Hospitals and public services are struggling to cope, and the United Nations has documented thousands of additional injuries and displacements. The World Health Organization has released emergency funds to support Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq amid the crisis.
IOM Director General Amy Pope warned that without urgent action, the crisis could deepen further, potentially triggering additional internal displacement within Syria. She stressed that movements must be safe, voluntary, and dignified, and that vulnerable populations, particularly children, require immediate protection and humanitarian assistance.
International organizations are urging all parties to respect international humanitarian law and prioritize civilian safety as the crisis unfolds.
