At least 30,000 displaced in Lebanon by Middle East war: UN

GENEVA: At least 30,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon due to the escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, the United Nations said Tuesday.

Israel is continuing to carry out air raids, particularly on Beirut’s southern suburbs and the south of the country, after issuing evacuation warnings to residents.

“Heavy displacement is being reported across parts of southern Lebanon, the Bekaa and southern suburbs of Beirut, after Israel issued evacuation warnings to the residents of more than 53 Lebanese villages and intense air strikes across all three parts of Lebanon,” said Babar Baloch, spokesman for the UN refugee agency.

“As of yesterday, the conservative estimates suggest that nearly 30,000 people were hosted and registered at collective shelters. Many more slept in their cars on the side of roads,” the UNHCR spokesman told a press conference in Geneva.

READ MORE: Israel strikes Beirut’s southern suburbs after Hezbollah attacks

He said more were attempting to leave on foot, seeking safety in other areas.

Lebanese group Hezbollah on Tuesday said it targeted three Israeli military bases in response to Israeli strikes on the group’s strongholds in Lebanon, including the south Beirut suburbs.

UN rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani added: “We are also gravely concerned by the escalation of hostilities in Lebanon after Hezbollah fired barrages of projectiles into Israel, and the heavy counterstrikes of Israel, including in Beirut.

“We urge both parties to immediately end this major escalation in violence and to return to the agreed ceasefire.”

She cited reports suggesting civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure, plus significant re-displacement following Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon.