UN Warns of Potential Refugee Crisis Amid Middle East Conflict

The UN’s refugee agency has raised concerns that escalating violence in the Middle East could lead to a surge of asylum seekers attempting to reach Europe, Euro News reported on Thursday.

Following Israel’s recent ground invasion of southern Lebanon and missile strikes from Iran, Ivo Freijsen, the UNHCR representative in Lebanon, noted that many fleeing civilians might consider crossing to Cyprus or Europe despite the high costs and risks involved.

Currently, Lebanon is facing a humanitarian crisis, with over one million people displaced, representing about 20% of its population. The country also hosts 1.5 million Syrian refugees amid a fragile political and economic landscape. Freijsen highlighted that while crossing into Syria is becoming easier, the need for international aid remains critical. The UN has launched an appeal for $425 million to support essential services, emphasizing that without increased funding, the humanitarian situation could worsen significantly as winter approaches.