On October 6, 2024, during a visit to Beirut, Filippo Grandi, the head of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), raised alarms about a "severe displacement crisis" in Lebanon due to intensified Israeli airstrikes.
Grandi reported that approximately 1.2 million people have been displaced in Lebanon, prompting the UN to request additional resources to address the humanitarian crisis, with only 40% of the necessary funds raised so far.
He emphasized that numerous violations of international humanitarian law have occurred due to the air attacks, which have destroyed or damaged civilian infrastructure. Grandi also expressed sorrow over the deaths of two UN staff members during the bombings.
Simultaneously, at the Vatican, Pope Francis reiterated his solidarity with the victims of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, urging for the "immediate release" of hostages held in Gaza. He called for a day of prayer and fasting on October 7, marking the first anniversary of the attack, stating that since that day, the Middle East has plunged into greater suffering due to ongoing military actions affecting the Palestinian people.
The Pope also prayed for the Lebanese people, particularly those forced to flee their villages in the south. Israel claims its targets in Lebanon are Hezbollah members and armaments, while the escalating violence continues to displace Lebanese citizens and refugees towards the Syrian border.