Lebanon is facing its worst crisis since the 2006 war, as thousands of civilians are fleeing the country following intensified Israeli airstrikes and ground operations targeting Hezbollah. The situation has grown dire in recent weeks, with Israeli forces conducting their heaviest bombardment of southern Lebanon and, for the first time in 18 years, striking central Beirut.

Ali Abdul Hassan, a 49-year-old resident of Beirut, described the scene as “terrible.” His home was severely damaged when an Israeli airstrike hit his neighborhood, forcing him to flee to Cyprus. “I hope they reach a deal to stop the war,” Hassan said, reflecting the desperation felt by many Lebanese citizens trapped in the conflict.

On Wednesday, flights carrying Lebanese citizens arrived in Cyprus, as people sought refuge from the escalating violence. Many had already been displaced multiple times within Lebanon, fleeing from southern towns and villages to the capital. The situation became even more critical after Israeli forces launched a ground incursion into southern Lebanon, clashing with Hezbollah fighters. At least eight Israeli soldiers were killed in the fighting, prompting Israel to ramp up its airstrikes.

According to the United Nations, more than 100,000 people have crossed the border into Syria, joining hundreds of thousands already displaced by the conflict. Families, many of them Syrian refugees who had settled in Lebanon, are now fleeing again, hoping to escape the escalating violence.

Israel’s military campaign is primarily targeting Hezbollah, which it claims is using southern Lebanon to launch attacks. Israeli officials have insisted their operations are “limited,” but the destruction on the ground tells a different story. Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble, particularly in areas like Dahiyeh, a Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut. Over a million people have been displaced by the violence, with many left uncertain about their future or whether they will ever be able to return home.

Amid the chaos, Lebanon is struggling to provide humanitarian aid to its displaced population. The country, already reeling from a severe economic crisis, now faces the additional burden of dealing with an escalating war. With no clear end in sight, Lebanon’s people continue to flee, hoping to find safety beyond its borders.