Switzerland calls for de-escalation between Israel and Lebanon

By Timo Kirez

GENEVA (AA) - The Swiss government on Wednesday urged de-escalation between Israel and Lebanon, following weeks of stepped-up Israeli attacks, with the heaviest toll in death and displacement falling on the Lebanese people.

In a statement, the Swiss government emphasized “that only dialogue, de-escalation and compliance with international humanitarian law can lead to peace in the Middle East.”

“The Swiss government reiterates its call to all parties to cease hostilities in the entire region,” it added.

The government also decided on Wednesday to provide an additional 7 million Swiss francs ($8.16 million) in aid for Lebanon and Syria, where many Lebanese have sought shelter from Israeli attacks.

This is being done “in view of the humanitarian situation due to the escalation of violence in the Middle East,” the government said in its statement.

According to the government, the escalation of violence in the Middle East “has increased significantly since September 2024.”

The government continued: “Lebanon has over 1,000 dead and almost 10,000 injured. According to UN figures, there are more than half a million internally displaced persons in the country. 280,000 people left Lebanon between September 23 and October 3, 2024, mainly for Syria.”

According to the government, the additional aid is intended for “the UN Humanitarian Fund for Lebanon, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Lebanese Red Cross and the UN Refugee Agency for Syria.”

The aid also includes “basic foodstuffs, water and sanitation, medicines, basic medical care and hygiene products,” the government continued.

In its statement, the government also said the 7 million Swiss francs “is in addition to the 79 million Swiss francs ($92.2 million) approved for 2024 for humanitarian operations in the Middle East and the region (Occupied Palestinian Territory, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria).”