France will triple its humanitarian support to Lebanon by sending 60 tons of aid on Thursday, announced Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. This measure addresses the crisis caused by Israeli strikes against Hezbollah, which have displaced 760,000 people since the conflict began. Paris will also provide several dozen armored vehicles to the Lebanese army.
In the twelfth day of the Middle East war, triggered on February 28 by an Israeli-American offensive against Iran, Lebanon is bearing the full brunt of the conflict. Hezbollah, Tehran's ally, launched missiles at Israel on March 2, leading to Israeli strikes that have killed nearly 500 people and displaced 760,000 individuals, according to the Lebanese government.
In this context, France is strengthening its commitment. "We have decided to triple the volume of aid that will arrive this week. This aid will reach 60 tons of humanitarian aid to the Lebanese, including sanitary kits, hygiene kits, mattresses, lamps, but also a mobile sanitary post," declared Jean-Noël Barrot on TF1. This initiative is supported by the CMA CGM Foundation of the French shipowner.
Additionally, Paris is preparing to provide "several dozen" forward armored vehicles (VAB) to the Lebanese armed forces, considered by France as the only legitimate ones to ensure the country's security. The minister reiterated his call to Hezbollah: "Cease its attacks on Israel and hand over its weapons to the Lebanese authorities".
These measures come as regional instability worsens, with maritime incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing strikes in Lebanon, particularly in Beirut. France, through its Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu, is convening political parties on Wednesday at 3:00 PM at Matignon to inform them on the threat and France's positioning amid the oil price surge caused by the conflict.
