US to send $157m in aid to Lebanon

More than 2,000 people have been killed and about 1.2 million have been displaced amid Israeli invasion

People stand near a damaged building following an Israeli air strike in Beirut. EPA

The US will be sending $157 million in aid to Lebanon as the Israeli invasion continues to cause chaos in the country.

“The US is at the forefront of humanitarian response to the growing crisis in Lebanon,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday in a post on X.

“We are committed to supporting those in need and delivering essential aid to displaced civilians, refugees and the communities hosting them.”

Israel began its ground invasion of Lebanon this week after trading tit-for-tat attacks with Hezbollah on the border over the past year. The invasion came soon after the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut.

More than 2,000 people have been killed and about 1.2 million have been displaced in Lebanon as Israel continues to pound the south and parts of the capital.

In a separate statement, Mr Blinken said the funding “will address new and existing needs of internally displaced persons and refugee populations inside Lebanon and the communities that host them” and “will also support those fleeing to neighbouring Syria”.

About 300,000 people have fled Lebanon for Syria over the past several days.

The US and other countries have been working to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.