BEIRUT, Oct 5 — Over 200,000 Syrian and Lebanese nationals have arrived in Syria from Lebanon since the start of the Israeli attacks on September 23, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi said on Saturday, reported Sputnik.
"More than 200,000 people — Lebanese citizens and Syrians living in Lebanon — have now fled the country and crossed the Syrian border as a result of Israeli airstrikes," Grandi said on X.
Relief efforts by the Syrian authorities, the Red Crescent mission, the UNHCR office and other organisations are underway in border area, he added.
On Friday, Israeli aircraft struck the Masnaa checkpoint on Lebanese territory, after which traffic on the Beirut-Damascus highway stopped in both directions and the main passageway for refugees was cut off, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said.
Israel started a ground operation against Hezbollah in the south of Lebanon on Monday, while the mutual exchange of air and rocket strikes continues.
Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on Wednesday that about 1.2 million people, including Syrian refugees, were displaced due to the hostilities.
Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad said on Thursday that nearly 2,000 people died and over 9,000 others were injured in Israeli attacks.
— Bernama
