The humanitarian aid plane sent by Turkey has arrived in Lebanon.

The plane was welcomed by the Lebanese Minister of Health Firas el-Ebyad and Turkey's Ambassador to Beirut Ali Barış Ulusoy. Minister Ebyad stated in a statement to AA correspondent that the humanitarian aid arriving in Beirut by military cargo plane from Turkey consisted of 30 tons of medical supplies and medicines.

"SENDING A MESSAGE OF SOLIDARITY TO OUR PEOPLE"

Emphasizing that the Turkish government contacted the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, September 23, when Israel's attacks on Lebanon began, Ebyad reported that Turkey quickly delivered its humanitarian aid to them, and Ambassador Ulusoy conveyed that they were ready to do their best for Lebanon's health needs. Ebyad stated, "The Turkish aid plane is sending a message of solidarity to our people against Israel's ruthless attack." He noted that the Israeli army continues to expand the scale of its airstrikes on Lebanon, adding that the number of casualties and injuries has increased, leading to a rise in health needs.

30 TONS OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES SENT WITHIN 48 HOURS

Ambassador Ulusoy also stated that the humanitarian aid operation was carried out in line with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's instructions and Lebanon's requests. Highlighting that they delivered the solidarity aid to the Ministry of Health for the Lebanese people who are going through difficult days due to increased Israeli aggression, Ulusoy mentioned that the Turkish Hospital, built by Turkey in the southern city of Sidon in 2010, is currently operational. Ambassador Ulusoy shared that the Lebanese Ministry of Health will increase the capacity of the Turkish Hospital in Sidon to operate at full capacity in the coming days. Ulusoy noted that upon the requests of Lebanese authorities, they delivered humanitarian aid consisting of 30 tons of medical supplies, medicines, and food materials to Beirut by military cargo plane within 48 hours. He explained that with these aids, they demonstrated their solidarity with the Lebanese people who are going through tough times, stating that Turkey will continue to stand by Lebanon with its humanitarian aid.

558 PEOPLE, INCLUDING 50 CHILDREN, HAVE DIED

The Israeli army carried out hundreds of airstrikes on the southern cities of Lebanon, as well as the Bekaa and Baalbek regions, starting from the morning hours of September 23. The Lebanese Ministry of Health announced that 558 people, including 50 children and 95 women, were killed in the attacks, and 1,835 people were injured. The wave of migration from the southern regions of the country to the capital Beirut and northern regions continues.