Number of people forced to flee in Lebanon could reach 1 million: The largest wave of displacement in the country's history

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati stated that the country is experiencing the largest wave of displacement in its history, noting that the number of people displaced within the country due to ongoing Israeli airstrikes is approaching one million.

Speaking at a press conference in the capital, Beirut, Mikati expressed that Lebanon remains committed to United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1701.

Emphasizing that the Lebanese army is also prepared to implement UNSC Resolution 1701, Mikati stated that they have initiated efforts to ensure the rapid delivery of aid arriving in the country during this period.

Regarding those displaced within the country due to Israeli attacks, Prime Minister Mikati said:

'118,000 people displaced by Israeli attacks have been placed in 778 shelters. The actual number of displaced people is much higher than this, and it is possible for it to reach one million.'

Highlighting that the sudden migration occurring within hours from the country's southern cities, the Bekaa region, and Beirut's Dahiyeh district due to heavy Israeli bombardment has created immense pressure, Mikati stated, 'The number of people displaced within the country could reach one million. This means there are one million people in Lebanon who have had to move from where they were to another place within a few days, marking the largest wave of displacement in the country's history.'

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati

1,540 PEOPLE KILLED IN ATTACKS

The Israeli army, which has been engaged in controlled clashes with Hezbollah since October 8, 2023, detonated pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah on September 17-18, and launched hundreds of airstrikes on southern Lebanese cities as well as the Bekaa and Baalbek regions on September 23.

According to Lebanese authorities, a total of 1,540 people, including 104 children and 194 women, have been killed in Israeli attacks since September 17, when the communication devices used by Hezbollah were detonated.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in airstrikes carried out by the Israeli army on Beirut on September 27.

While the wave of migration from the southern parts of Lebanon to the capital, Beirut, and northern regions continues, it is reported that tens of thousands of people have also migrated to Syria.

Hezbollah, meanwhile, is responding to Israel with rockets and missiles. No major damage has been reported in these attacks, which mostly target army bases on the Israeli side.