Lebanon is witnessing what could be its largest displacement crisis in history, with up to one million people potentially fleeing the violence sparked by Israeli airstrikes, Prime Minister Najib Mikati warned on Sunday.
Speaking to reporters, Mikati estimated that “the number is very high and may reach one million,” which would represent approximately one-sixth of the nation’s population.
He called it “the largest displacement movement that may have happened in Lebanon.”
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The current wave of violence followed Israel’s assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Friday, a move that has raised concerns about further destabilizing Lebanon and the broader region.
Since Monday, Israeli attacks have intensified across Lebanon’s eastern and southern regions, including southern Beirut, killing hundreds and forcing many to flee.
Earlier this week, UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi reported that more than 200,000 people had been displaced internally in Lebanon, while over 50,000 had fled to Syria.
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The surge in strikes comes as Israel shifts its military focus from Gaza to Lebanon after nearly a year of cross-border exchanges with Hezbollah, which has declared its support for Hamas.
