In response to the escalating crisis in Lebanon, President Sheikh Mohamed of the UAE has authorized a $100 million relief package to support the Lebanese people. The aid package, as reported by the UAE’s state news agency WAM, reflects the country’s commitment to humanitarian efforts and the ongoing support for Lebanon in the face of increasing hostilities.
Israel Launches Strikes on Beirut
The aid comes amid Israeli strikes on central Beirut as tensions with Hezbollah have escalated. Early on Monday, an Israeli attack hit an apartment block near the Cola Bridge, marking the first strike on central Beirut since the Israel-Hezbollah conflict began in October last year. The situation has rapidly deteriorated following the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and additional strikes in Yemen targeting Houthi sites.
Rising Casualties and Displacement in Lebanon
The Lebanese Health Ministry has reported over 1,000 deaths and 6,000 injuries in the past two weeks as a result of Israel’s intensified military operations. The conflict has also led to significant displacement, with up to a million people forced to leave their homes, according to Lebanon’s Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati.
UAE’s Ongoing Humanitarian Efforts
Rashid Al Mansouri, Secretary General of the Emirates Red Crescent Authority, stated that the UAE is ready to provide emergency relief, including food supplies that are already stored in case of emergencies. “We are always ready to provide because we have storage in case of an emergency,” Al Mansouri said, highlighting the UAE’s preparedness to address humanitarian crises at short notice.
The $100 million package is the latest in a series of aid initiatives from the UAE aimed at alleviating suffering in the region, including previous efforts to support Gaza.
UAE’s Relief to Gaza: A Continuing Effort
Since November, the UAE has provided 33,100 tonnes of urgent supplies to Gaza. This aid, delivered via 320 flights, seven ships, and 1,243 lorries, has played a critical role in supporting those affected by the Israel-Gaza conflict. As part of its mission, the UAE established two hospitals in Gaza, including one focused on prosthetic care for wounded Palestinians.
The UAE’s relief efforts in Gaza also include a 200-bed field hospital in the southern part of the enclave, staffed with over 100 medical personnel. This facility offers general surgery, orthopaedic services, paediatric and adult care, and psychiatric treatment.
Floating Hospital and Desalination Plants for Gaza
In addition to ground-based hospitals, the UAE has deployed a 100-bed floating hospital in Al Arish, Egypt, just across the border from Gaza. The ship is equipped with operating theatres, an intensive care unit, pharmacy, and an evacuation system, ready to support the people of Gaza.
To address the dire water crisis, the UAE has also provided six desalination plants, capable of producing 1.6 million gallons of clean drinking water daily, benefiting 600,000 people. Additionally, automated bakeries have been set up to produce bread for thousands of residents, offering a much-needed food source for the war-torn region.
GCC Calls for Ceasefire in Lebanon
As tensions continue to escalate, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has urged all parties to avoid further military action along the Lebanese-Israeli border. GCC Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Al Budaiwi called for adherence to UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the Taif Agreement, which emphasize respect for Lebanon’s borders and the control of arms within the country.
