Action Group – Lebanon:
Given the complex legal and living conditions of Palestinian refugees from Syria in Lebanon, and the absence of legal solutions that allow safe movement between the two countries, families are increasingly resorting to illegal methods to cross the border, despite the grave risks they face.
Although official border crossings have become easier, Palestinian refugees from Syria are denied access to them due to their lack of legal residency in Lebanon, unlike Syrian refugees. This forces them to take arduous smuggling routes that take approximately 12 hours, compared to the three hours required through official crossings.
Among these families, the Action Group for Palestinians from Syria accompanied a Palestinian family of five who were forced to cross the border on foot using these smuggling routes. The aim was to return to Syria to arrange housing after their home in Yarmouk Camp was destroyed, and then return later to transport their belongings and bring back family members.
However, the tense security situation at the border led to their arrest by the Lebanese army upon their arrival, accompanied by a group of Syrian refugees.
Despite the similar legal circumstances for all, the Syrians were released, while the Palestinians were detained for long hours, during which they were subjected to ill-treatment and verbal abuse. Their mobile phones were also broken after being searched.
This incident highlights the extent of the suffering endured by Palestinian refugees from Syria, given the lack of legal protection, the difficulty of returning to the destroyed camps, and the absence of any practical solutions for reconstruction or organizing a dignified return.
What these families are facing is not just a refugee crisis; it is a complex suffering that affects the right to a dignified life, housing, movement, and identity.
This is a renewed call for UNRWA, the embassy, Palestinian factions, and human rights organizations to assume their responsibilities and demand that the relevant authorities in Lebanon and Syria provide legal and humanitarian protection mechanisms that guarantee a minimum level of dignity for these forgotten refugees.
It is noteworthy that the Lebanese General Directorate of General Security had previously announced a deadline to provide additional facilities to Syrian and Palestinian nationals coming from Syria, whether they entered Lebanon through regular or irregular means, provided that they leave Lebanese territory before September 30, 2025, without incurring any fees or fines and without issuing entry ban notices against them, provided that there is no legal impediment. Recently, the Directorate decided to extend the deadline until December 31, 2025 inclusive.