President Sheikh Mohamed Directs $100 Million in Urgent Relief to Lebanon

President Sheikh Mohamed has directed the delivery of a $100 million relief package to the people of Lebanon. The move is part of the UAE's efforts to offer support and emphasises the country's commitment to assisting the Lebanese, state news agency Wam reported.

Israel Strikes on Beirut

Israel has launched strikes on Beirut as hostilities with Hezbollah escalate. An Israeli attack hit an apartment block near the Cola Bridge in Lebanon's capital early on Monday, marking the first strike on the city centre since the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah began in October last year.

The strike followed Friday's assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, in addition to assaults on Houthi sites in Yemen on Sunday.

Humanitarian Crisis in Lebanon

More than 1,000 Lebanese have been killed and 6,000 injured in the past two weeks since Israel intensified its attacks, Lebanon's Health Ministry has said. Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Sunday said up to a million people have been displaced.

"We are now ready to work in co-ordination with the specialists in providing what is necessary," said Rashid Al Mansouri, secretary general of the Emirates Red Crescent Authority. "We are always ready to provide because we have storage in case of an emergency. The food supplies are ready, we have them in our warehouses. We are just waiting for the instructions at the time of the launch."

UAE's Humanitarian Initiatives

The financial package is the latest in a series of initiatives from the UAE aimed at alleviating suffering in the region, since the Israel-Gaza war began last year.

In June, it was reported that the UAE had provided 33,100 tonnes of urgent supplies to Gaza since November, when the country launched its aid mission to help those affected by the war in the enclave.

• Two hospitals established in Gaza, including a centre for prosthetic limbs.
• 200-bed field hospital with over 100 medical professionals.
• 100-bed floating hospital in Al Arish port, Egypt.
• Six desalination plants providing clean water to 600,000 people.
• Automated bakeries producing bread for up to 72,000 people daily.

Call for Ceasefire

Also on Monday, the GCC called for a ceasefire in Lebanon. GCC Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Al Budaiwi urged all parties to avoid military escalation along the Lebanese-Israeli border and to adhere to UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the Taif Agreement, which call for respecting Lebanon’s borders.