Péter Szijjártó blames the international community for not acting on behalf of Christians "because of some misguided political correctness."Continue reading
Hungary has delivered another humanitarian aid shipment to Lebanon, aimed at improving the living conditions of the country’s beleaguered Christian communities, announced Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, on Wednesday in Budapest.
The politician highlighted the growing global instability, marked by armed conflicts, heightened terror threats, and uncertainty in various regions. He emphasized that the Middle East has long been a focal point of global politics, with the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel intensifying this attention.
The Middle East is experiencing an exceptionally unstable security situation, and Lebanon has been one of the hardest-hit countries.
A ceasefire is currently in place, which the Hungarian government welcomes. We urge all parties involved to maintain the truce as it is crucial for alleviating human suffering, enabling displaced families to return to their homes,” Minister Szijjártó stated.
Lebanon is home to a significant Christian community, maintaining close ties with Hungary. The politician noted that the prolonged turmoil in the region has taken a severe toll on these communities. In response, Hungary has provided substantial assistance through its Hungary Helps program.
The latest shipment, coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in collaboration with the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta, the Hungarian Baptist Aid, and pharmaceutical company Richter, arrived in Lebanon earlier in the day.
The 3.5 ton shipment includes food supplies, medicines, generators, camp beds, and blankets to aid Christian communities in improving their living conditions.
“Every time we deliver humanitarian aid, we also offer evacuation opportunities using the Hungarian Defense Forces’ aircraft for the return trip,” Péter Szijjártó explained.
In this instance, only one Hungarian citizen requested evacuation, which according to him, indicates the success of earlier efforts. “Practically every Hungarian who wished to leave Lebanon due to safety concerns has already done so,” he added.
Looking forward, the minister expressed hope that further evacuations would not be necessary and that the ongoing ceasefire would hold. “We sincerely hope the truce endures, allowing the living conditions of Christian communities in Lebanon to improve,” he concluded.
Hezbollah launched attacks against Israel over a year ago, claiming solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza when Israel launched a war against the enclave in response to the October 7 massacre. Tensions in the region, however, have escalated since Israel stepped up its fight against Hezbollah in September, killing long-time leader Hasan Nasrallah and most of his senior commanders, and launching what it claims is a limited ground operation in southern Lebanon. The fighting is the worst since Israel and Hezbollah fought a month-long war in 2006. Nearly 2,000 people have died in Lebanon in the latest conflict. Government officials estimate that 1.2 million people have been forced to flee their homes because of the war.
Via MTI; Featured image via Facebook/Hungary Helps – Magyarország segít