“Tens of Thousands” Flee South Lebanon, Seek Shelter in the North

Lebanese families who fled from southern villages sought refuge in makeshift shelters set up in schools in Beirut and Sidon. Those unable to find shelter stayed in cars, parks, or along the seaside corniche.

Monday’s intense bombardment forced thousands to evacuate south Lebanon. Hotels in Beirut filled up quickly, and families booked up apartments in the surrounding mountain areas in search of safer accommodations.

On social media, some people offered empty apartments or spare rooms, while volunteers set up a kitchen at an empty gas station in Beirut to prepare meals for those displaced.

In Baalbek, residents lined up at bakeries and gas stations to stock up on essential supplies, anticipating more strikes on Tuesday, as reported by the state-run National News Agency.

The United Nations reported that tens of thousands of people had fled their homes in Lebanon since Monday. “The number of displaced continues to rise,” U.N. refugee agency spokesman Matthew Saltmarsh said, calling the impact on civilians “unacceptable.”