The Lebanese Ministry of Health announced, “The killing of 3 people and the wounding of 9 others, as a result of an Israeli air raid on the town of Al-Maaysra in the Keserwan district in Mount Lebanon.”
In addition, with the continued Israeli bombardment of southern Lebanon, thousands of Lebanese have fled to Syria, where the border between the two countries has witnessed a noticeable increase in movement over the past few days.
According to Agence France-Presse, “hundreds of displaced people crossed the border from Lebanon into Syrian territory, fleeing Israeli raids. The number of people who crossed the border through the Qusayr and Dabousiya crossings was estimated at about 500 people.”
Civil sources from the town of Al-Qusayr in the western Homs countryside, adjacent to the northern Bekaa, confirmed that “Lebanese refugees have flocked to the town from the Bekaa because of the bombing of their areas by Israeli warplanes.”
In addition, the Deputy Governor of Rif Dimashq, Mahmoud Al-Jassem, confirmed to Sputnik Agency, “The team assigned by the Governor of Rif Dimashq is providing all facilities to facilitate the entry of our brothers coming from Lebanon and Syrians returning to the country, taking rapid response measures, providing supplies, and strengthening medical points at the border crossings.”
He pointed out that “transactions were completed with the required speed at the Jdeidet Yabous border crossing, and the importance of simplifying the crossing procedures for arrivals.”
He added: “So far, most of the arrivals are “Syrians” returning from Lebanon, and some of the problems that occurred have been resolved. The Governor of Damascus has directed the provision of two internal transport buses, in addition to providing accommodation for those who do not have a home to stay in. Food baskets, clothes and medicines have been prepared for people who need treatment.”
According to Sputnik, “More than 2,000 Lebanese citizens have entered Syrian territory through the New Yabous border crossing, and a similar number is waiting for the completion of entry procedures. About 3,000 Syrian citizens have entered so far, returning from Lebanon. The procedures have been simplified and the best ways have been found to provide services as quickly as possible and in the best possible way, and to provide all facilities to those displaced by the Israeli bombing of many civilian areas in Lebanon.”
In turn, the Director of Civil Defense in Homs, Brigadier General Muhaddab Al-Moudi, told Sputnik, “5 main shelters have been prepared that can accommodate about 40,000 people, and 9 reserve shelters that can accommodate about 25,000 people.”
He explained that “the shelters are equipped with all necessary services, including water, electricity, sanitary facilities, and telephone, and contain necessary shelter materials, including blankets, sponges, insulators, and kitchen utensils.”
The civil society in Damascus Governorate also “formed a committee to support the displaced and launched a campaign to receive and care for the Lebanese people by receiving them in many centers.”
In the same context, Homs Governor, Namir Makhlouf, held a meeting with the governorate’s work team “to take all rapid and immediate response measures and to emphasize the need for permanent readiness for all parties concerned with the response to carry out all necessary preparations and proactive measures to deal directly with any potential needs and provide the logistical requirements and preparations.”
During the meeting, “the response and readiness plan was reviewed, and the process was emphasized in an appropriate manner, with reference to the importance of strengthening medical points at border crossings with the necessary medical and health supplies.”
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, “the number of Lebanese who fled to Syria during the 33-day war waged by Israel on Lebanon in 2006 is estimated at 250,000,” adding: “Of these, about 70,000 left for a third country, while 180,000 remained with host families or public shelters.”
Last updated: September 25, 2024 – 13:12
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2024-09-25 12:10:34