Syrian Refugees Fleeing Lebanon, Returning Home as Conflict Escalates

Syrian refugees who once sought safety in Lebanon are now returning to Syria, facing an uncertain future.

According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), around 100,000 people, including both Lebanese and Syrians, have crossed back into Syria to escape Israeli airstrikes. The bombardments have forced one million people to flee their homes in Lebanon, according to the country’s caretaker prime minister.

Lebanon is home to approximately 1.5 million Syrian refugees, the UNHCR reports.

“They came to Lebanon seeking safety, and now they are reliving that trauma,” said Rula Amin, the senior spokesperson for UNHCR in the Middle East and North Africa.

Speaking to CNN’s Michael Holmes, Amin described the situation as “tragic,” with civilians struggling to find refuge. Israel’s shifting targets in Lebanon make it difficult for people to identify safe areas to shelter. Although residents are advised to avoid Hezbollah-operated areas, the group’s secretive nature leaves them unsure where to go.

Without sufficient shelters, many are left sleeping outdoors, Amin added.

“We have never seen anything like this before, not even in 2006,” she said, referring to the scale and intensity of the bombings. The widespread attacks have resulted in significant civilian casualties, with Lebanese authorities reporting over 1,000 deaths.

Amin noted that UNHCR staff stationed at the Syrian-Lebanese border are witnessing thousands of people fleeing into Syria each day.

“They don’t know what tomorrow holds. All they know is that they need to keep running,” she said.