Israel urges Lebanon to set aside animosity and accept life-saving aid

In the face of the Lebanese government’s non-response, Israel is negotiating for the transfer of humanitarian and medical aid and equipment to the stricken city of Beirut via UN agencies and France. Israeli officials voiced concern that Hizballah would rather see Lebanese people suffer than accept Israel aid.  As world countries line up to help Lebanon survive the catastrophic explosions, the number of dead has risen to 137 and the wounded top 5,000. With five Beirut hospitals either damaged or overwhelmed, and field hospitals urgently needed, Israel’s hospitals have offered to treat the wounded, in the hope of humane concerns overcoming politics. A special plea came from Dr. Salman Zarka, director of the Ziv Medical Center in Safed, which often cares for patients from Lebanon and Syria.