Israel's offensive in Lebanon fuels humanitarian crisis as Trump urges Syria to intervene

An Israeli military incursion deep into southern Lebanon has displaced more than one million people, with the United Nations reporting that 1.24 million lack sufficient food and over 80 % of markets in the south have halted operations. Homes lie in ruins, roads are bombed and schools are crowded with displaced children.

Amid the escalation, U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly suggested that Syria take on the Iran‑backed Hezbollah group, claiming Damascus would be more precise than Israel. Syrian President Ahmad Al‑Sharaa denied any plan to intervene in Lebanon, describing Trump’s remarks as a misunderstanding and emphasizing a desire for a permanent end to the war.

The proposal has heightened alarms in both Lebanon and Israel, where officials fear further regional destabilisation. The conflict follows broader U.S.–Israel actions against Iran and has drawn criticism for the mounting civilian toll.