Canada’s secretary of state for international development, Randeep Sarai, traveled to Lebanon to unveil an expanded humanitarian assistance package and express criticism of Israeli military operations in the country. The new aid programs, intended to support Lebanese families affected by ongoing conflict, increased Canada’s total assistance commitment to Lebanon this year to more than $50 million. During his visit, Sarai emphasized that Canada maintains a sustained commitment to the nation and toured facilities providing shelter for internally displaced persons as well as Syrian refugees.
Sarai characterized Israel’s military presence in Lebanon as an “unlawful invasion” and stressed that Beirut must retain sovereignty over its own territory. Canada had previously issued warnings in March regarding Israeli military plans, stating that Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity must be protected. These statements reflect broader international concerns about Israeli operations in southern Lebanon, where a framework agreement negotiated by the United States and signed in late June established designated zones for the transition of territorial control from Israeli to Lebanese armed forces.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant humanitarian consequences, with more than 4,000 deaths reported and approximately 360,000 people displaced according to United Nations assessments. In late July, Lebanon’s armed forces accused Israel of blocking their efforts to assume security control in the southern regions. During his visit, Sarai met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, with both officials reaffirming their commitment to restoring state authority throughout the country and implementing anti-corruption measures.
Canada has provided approximately $575 million in assistance to Lebanon over the past decade, reflecting the country’s longstanding engagement with the nation. The Canadian announcement comes as Israeli officials have indicated they will maintain a military presence until they determine that Hezbollah has been sufficiently disarmed.
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