UN: Over 4.1 Million Displaced in Middle East Amid Military Escalation

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric highlighted that the Middle East hosts some of the largest populations needing humanitarian aid globally. He noted that displacement is rapidly increasing, with Afghanistan, Iran, Lebanon, and Pakistan experiencing the largest movements of people.

In Lebanon, the situation remains volatile. Government estimates show over 816,000 people displaced, including children, with more than 125,000 taking shelter in nearly 600 collective centers. The actual number is likely higher.

Dujarric raised concerns for the safety of UN peacekeepers, reporting that an explosion occurred near a UN position in Sector East of Lebanon, though no injuries were reported. He emphasized that all parties must ensure the safety of UN staff and civilians, and that UN premises should never be targeted.

The current crisis escalated after the Lebanese group Hezbollah attacked Israeli military sites on March 2, in response to repeated Israeli strikes in Lebanon and the killing of Iranian former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a US-Israeli operation. Israel retaliated with airstrikes and limited ground incursions in southern Lebanon, intensifying the humanitarian emergency in the region.