The European Union (EU) today mobilized 30 million euros for humanitarian aid to Lebanon, due to the conflict between the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah and Israel, the European Commission announced, admitting it was “extremely concerned” about a regional enlargement.
“As hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel continue to escalate, the European Commission today announced a further 30 million euros in humanitarian aid to help those most in need in Lebanon,” the EU executive said in a statement.
The president of the institution, Ursula von der Leyen, said she was “extremely concerned about the constant escalation of tensions in the Middle East”.
“All parties must do everything in their power to protect the lives of innocent civilians,” she urges, pointing out that the humanitarian aid announced today aims to ensure ”that civilians receive much-needed assistance during this difficult period.”
“We continue to call for a ceasefire on the border with Lebanon and in Gaza, as well as the release of all hostages,” said Ursula von der Leyen.
The money mobilized by the EU today is in addition to the 10 million euros already announced on September 29, bringing the total of European humanitarian aid to the country to over 104 million euros this year.
This new emergency aid package will provide urgent food assistance, shelter and healthcare, among other essential support, and the European Commission is also facilitating the provision of material assistance to Beirut through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
The conflict has triggered an unprecedented displacement of the population in Lebanon, and has already caused thousands of civilian casualties and injuries.
After the Iranian attack with 180 missiles against Israel on Tuesday, the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah, an ally of Iran, launched around 100 rockets on Wednesday, without causing any injuries or fatalities.
According to an Israeli military statement, 70 rocket launches were detected in a two-hour period against the Western Galilee area, in northern Israel, and the projectiles fell in open areas.
Similarly, another two missiles were detected crossing the border between Lebanon and Israel and another 30, again against the Western Galilee in the late afternoon, all hitting unpopulated areas.
Israel's ground offensive came after 10 days of heavy aerial bombardment that left almost 2,000 dead in southern and eastern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut, Hezbollah's main strongholds in Lebanon.
The bombings killed Hezbollah leaders, including the top leader of the Iranian-backed organization, Hassan Nasrallah.
Tensions in the Middle East region increased after the October 7, 2023 attack by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas on Israeli territory, which left more than 1,200 dead, most of them civilians, and around 250 hostages.
In retaliation, the Israeli army started a war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip that has already left thousands dead and wounded.
The ceasefire in the Gaza Strip is being brokered mainly by the United States, Egypt and Qatar, which have been seeking a truce between Israel and Hamas for months, but the two sides have not been able to reach an agreement.
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