UAE ship with 2,000 tons of aid docks in Beirut Port

ISTANBUL

A United Arab Emirates ship carrying 2,000 tons of urgent humanitarian aid arrived at Beirut Port to support the Lebanese people who are facing an Israeli devastating onslaught.

According to the Emirati state-run news agency WAM, the ship is part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)'s relief campaign for the Lebanese people that was launched early in October under the directions of the country's leader Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.

"The latest aid dispatched demonstrates the UAE’s solidarity with the Lebanese people during the current challenging conditions," WAM quoted Sultan Al-Shamsi, an assistant to the Emirati foreign minister, as saying.

He said the ship carried 1,000 tons of food supplies and 1,000 tons of relief and shelter equipment, adding that the total amount of aid dispatched to date has reached 2,610 tons.

Israel mounted a huge air campaign in Lebanon last month against what it says are Hezbollah targets in an escalation from a year of cross-border warfare between Israel and the group since the start of Israel’s brutal offensive on Gaza.

Over 2,600 people have been killed and more than 12,200 injured in Israeli attacks since October last year, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Israel expanded the conflict on Oct. 1 this year by launching a ground assault into southern Lebanon.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar