On Tuesday, Defense Minister Benny Gantz announced Israel’s proposal in giving humanitarian aid to Lebanon, after caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab asked for help.

Lebanon’s forthcoming “social explosion”

PM Diab in a meeting with the ambassadors and diplomats in Beirut says, “”…help rescue Lebanon from its demise.” He sought for immediate aid from all the country leaders and international organizations, including the United Nations.

PM Diab already warned of Lebanon‘s impending “social explosion”.

Reports on violence and protests have flared up all over the country amid the worsening economy. Last Monday, UNICEF released an estimation stating 77% of the total Lebanese households can no longer buy basic commodities like food. Even local currency has dropped down to 90% of its value.

Additionally, medical shortfalls and worsening fuel scarcity have been noted for weeks. Families continue to experience a 22-hour power outage daily which resulted to people spending long queues in gas stations to buy very little gasoline.

Humanitarian Aid: responding to the “call for help”

Gantz tweeted last Sunday that seeing photos of the “hungry streets of Lebanon”, knowing the country’s pressing economic situation, and the anxiety over Iran gaining a more anchored position in the country, prompted his proposal of transferring humanitarian aid to Lebanon through the UN.

Moreover, his act in encouraging more countries to help is reportedly rooted from the increasing agitation in the security of Israel amid Iran’s expanding authority. 

Defense Prime Minister Benny Gantz, The Washington Post

Last resort

Diab emphasized in his speech during the meeting that only a new cabinet can restart conciliations with the International Monetary Fund.

He said further, “This government does not have the right to resume negotiations with the IMF to implement the recovery plan set by the cabinet, for this entails obligations on the next government that it may not endorse.”

According to him, the Lebanese were becoming impatient and associating Lebanon’s support to the formation of a new government jeopardizes the lives of the entire population.