AFP
The European Union on Thursday said it was giving an extra $33 million of humanitarian aid to Lebanon as fighting raged between Israel and Hezbollah.
"Today, we are stepping up our humanitarian aid to the people of Lebanon," said European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.
"Our new funding will ensure civilians receive much-needed assistance during this very difficult time.
"I am extremely concerned by the constant escalation of tensions in the Middle East. All parties must do their utmost to protect the lives of innocent civilians."
The latest EU aid package comes on top of 10 million euros announced over the weekend, taking the bloc's humanitarian assistance for Lebanon to over 100 million euros this year.
Israel has been carrying out a bombing campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon and has sent its troops across the border.
The Israeli bombardments in Lebanon have claimed more than 1,000 lives and seen Hezbollah's long-time chief Hassan Nasrallah killed in an air strike.
The authorities in Lebanon say that the Israeli strikes have forced around a million people to flee their homes.
Britain will charter more flights to help citizens and dependents leave Lebanon, the foreign office said on Thursday as Israel continued to strike Beirut overnight.
More than 150 British nationals and their dependents were evacuated from the Lebanese capital on a UK government-chartered flight that arrived in Birmingham, central England, on Wednesday, the ministry said.
"A limited number" of flights will depart from Beirut's Rafic Hariri International Airport on Thursday, and "will continue for as long as the security situation allows", it added.
The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said it was ready to support "hundreds" more to leave Lebanon in the coming days.
The statement came a day after Defence Secretary John Healey visited Cyprus, where 700 British troops and staff are stationed to prepare for possible evacuations.
Many commercial airlines have suspended flights to and from Beirut.
"Recent events have demonstrated the volatility of the situation in Lebanon", Foreign Secretary David Lammy said Thursday, reiterating his message for nationals to "leave the country immediately".
As of last week, there were around 5,000 British nationals, dual nationals and dependents in Lebanon, according to government estimates.
