Israeli offers medical aid to Lebanon after massive explosionAugust 5, 2020 - 18:46 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - In a rare humanitarian gesture toward Lebanon, Israel has offered medical aid after a massive explosion tore through the capital of Beirut on Tuesday, causing widespread damage and killing scores of people, Al Monitor reports. “Israel approached Lebanon through international defense and diplomatic channels to offer the Lebanese government medical humanitarian aid,” read a statement from Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi. According to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, the mediators who reached out to Lebanon on behalf of Israel were France and the United Nations' peacekeeping force in Lebanon, UNIFIL. “We share the pain of the Lebanese people and sincerely reach out to offer our aid at this difficult time,” Israeli President Reuven Rivlin tweeted. Lebanon is surveying the damage to its capital after the massive explosions ripped through the city’s port and surrounding areas on August 4, killing at least 100 people and injuring 4,000 with many still feared to be trapped under rubble. Among casualties, there are Armenians too. Photo. AP Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |