Lebanese sources have reported that over 200,000 Syrian displaced persons have left Lebanon through both legal and illegal crossings since the escalation of Israeli aggression began.
In statements to the Lebanese newspaper “Al-Akhbar” published today, Thursday, the sources stated, “This data reflects the Syrians’ desire to leave Lebanon under the current circumstances, considering that returning to Syria is a safer option than staying in Lebanon.” They added that “a large number of those who are sleeping on the streets in Martyrs’ Square and along the Beirut seafront, fleeing areas under Israeli attack, are of Syrian nationality.”
The sources also noted that “the UN Refugee Agency continues to adopt approaches with political backgrounds, appearing ready to do anything but help the Syrian displaced return to their country.” The agency proposes relocating the Syrian displaced from the Bekaa, the South, and the suburbs, including those who have moved to the streets of Beirut, to camps in northern Lebanon.
The sources confirmed that “moving them to northern camps or building temporary camps there is also not an option, and comes with political risks,” emphasizing that “the ongoing war between Lebanon and Israel for a year has not imposed any additional responsibilities on the agency to provide more aid to the displaced, maintaining its normal level of assistance.”
Furthermore, the sources highlighted that “the agency has not responded to the Lebanese government’s request to cover the medical expenses of injured Syrians, citing a lack of financial resources.”