Macron pledges €100 million aid package to support Lebanon amid ongoing conflict

France will provide a €100 million package to support Lebanon, President Emmanuel Macron said at an international aid conference in Paris on Thursday.

The French president said "massive aid" is needed as the war between Hezbollah militants and Israel displaced millions of Lebanese people, killed over 2,500, and deepened the country's economic crisis.

"What is needed is to shelter the families, feed the children, care for the wounded and continue to provide schooling for the pupils," Macron said.

Earlier this month, the United Nations launched an appeal of $426 million (€394m) to support almost four million in need of humanitarian aid in Lebanon.

Also, Italy announced new aid of €10 million, and Germany pledged an additional €60 million. French organisers hope that collective pledges will be enough to meet the funds the UN says are urgently needed for humanitarian aid.

Hezbollah militants and Israel have been exchanging fire along the Israel-Lebanon border since the start of the war in Gaza last October. The conflict escalated in September of this year when thousands were injured after Israel launched an attack by exploding pager and walkie-talkie devices.

The French president reiterated the need for an immediate ceasefire and criticised Israel for continuing its military operations in Lebanon.

On social media platform X, Macron said that Israel's existence and security are non-negotiable for France, yet pointing out that "adding war to war brings neither peace nor security, neither for Israel nor for anyone in the region."