Washington Extends for a Month Aid to Support Lebanese Army Salaries

Lebanese soldiers are seen at the Lebanese-Israeli border. (Lebanese Army Command)
Lebanese soldiers are seen at the Lebanese-Israeli border. (Lebanese Army Command)
TT
20

Washington Extends for a Month Aid to Support Lebanese Army Salaries

Lebanese soldiers are seen at the Lebanese-Israeli border. (Lebanese Army Command)
Lebanese soldiers are seen at the Lebanese-Israeli border. (Lebanese Army Command)

The United States has extended, exceptionally for a single month, its assistance to support the salaries of members of the Lebanese Army, informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The salaries of soldiers have dwindled in recent years after Lebanon’s economy began tanking in late 2019 and the collapse of the local currency. On average, a soldier used to earn around $800 a month before the crisis, but after the crash, salaries are now worth around $100.

To support the Army, the United States started in June cash distributions of $72 million for a period of six months, including a monthly payment of $100 for each military personnel. The last $100 payment was made in November.

However, the US administration recently took an “exceptional” decision to extend its assistance for only one month. A military source told Asharq Al-Awsat that soldiers have been receiving an additional $100 thanks to the latest move.

They revealed that starting February, Qatar will be paying the $100 for a two-month period.

A member of the army, 33, told Asharq Al-Awsat that he was paid $90 at the end of December.

The adjunct said he and his colleagues have yet to receive the US grant of $100. They also haven’t received the government’s “temporary assistance” of $79 due to a lack of funds.

“We also haven't been receiving food coupons that helped us buy rice, milk, flour and others,” he said, describing the situation as very difficult.

He revealed that he had to take up another job to make ends meet.

Commenting on the food program, an informed source told Asharq Al-Awsat that it stopped because of the rise in prices of goods and due to the inability to buy materials at subsidized prices.

He added that the food aid was initially planned to last only one year.

Meanwhile, Lebanese Army officers are no better off than their adjutants.

A captain, who wished to remain anonymous, said that at the end of December, he received a monthly salary of around $200.

Married with three children, he said he now mainly relies on his wife’s salary. She works for a private company for $700 a month.

Members of the army have resorted to working a second job, for which they would have been penalized by the military, but it has been turning a blind eye to the situation due to the severe crisis.



UN Calls for Independent Probe into Civilians Harmed Trying to Get Food in Gaza

 Palestinians carry bags filled with food and humanitarian aid provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization approved by Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)
Palestinians carry bags filled with food and humanitarian aid provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization approved by Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)
TT
20

UN Calls for Independent Probe into Civilians Harmed Trying to Get Food in Gaza

 Palestinians carry bags filled with food and humanitarian aid provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization approved by Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)
Palestinians carry bags filled with food and humanitarian aid provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization approved by Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Tuesday slammed as "unacceptable" the deaths of Palestinians seeking food aid in Gaza, a spokesman said, calling the loss of life in the territory "unthinkable".

"The Secretary-General continues to call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events and for the perpetrators to be held to account," UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

"We are witnessing unthinkable loss of life in Gaza (and) the secretary-general condemns the loss of lives and injuries of Palestinians seeking aid," he said. "It is unacceptable civilians are risking and in several instances losing their lives just trying to get food."

At least 27 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded by Israeli fire near a food distribution site in the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday, local health authorities said, in the third day of chaos and bloodshed to affect the aid operation.

A spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross told Reuters that its field hospital in Rafah received 184 casualties, adding that 19 of those were declared dead upon arrival, and eight died of their wounds shortly after.

The US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation launched its first distribution sites last week in an effort to alleviate widespread hunger amongst Gaza's war-battered population, most of whom have had to abandon their homes to flee fighting.

The Foundation's aid plan, which bypasses traditional aid groups, has come under fierce criticism from the United Nations and established charities which say it does not follow humanitarian principles.

The private group, which is endorsed by Israel, said it distributed 21 truckloads of food early on Tuesday and that the aid operation was "conducted safely and without incident within the site".

However, there have been reports of repeated killings near Rafah as crowds gather to get desperately needed supplies.

On Sunday, Palestinian and international officials reported that at least 31 people were killed and dozens more injured. On Monday, three more Palestinians were reportedly killed by Israeli fire.

The Israeli military has denied targeting civilians gathering for aid and called reports of deaths during Sunday’s distribution "fabrications" by Hamas.