German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock recently visited Lebanon amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, emphasizing the dire humanitarian situation in the region.

Baerbock condemned Hezbollah's tactics of hiding behind civilians and urged Israel to conduct military operations within the bounds of self-defense and humanitarian law.

She called for a collaborative diplomatic effort involving the US, Europe, and the Arab world to address the security concerns of both Israel and Lebanon.

The backdrop of her visit includes Israel's airstrikes and ground operations against Hezbollah, which have intensified since the conflict reignited a year ago.

Lebanon's government has requested $250 million per month to support over a million people displaced by the violence, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian aid and a ceasefire.

During her visit, Baerbock expressed deep concern over the escalating humanitarian crisis, criticizing Hezbollah for using civilians as shields while launching attacks on Israel.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed sympathy for the suffering of Lebanese citizens and underscored the need to initiate a political process to resolve the crisis.

Baerbock's visit, which was kept confidential for security reasons, marks her fourth trip to Lebanon since the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023.

Baerbock also stressed the importance of protecting UN peacekeepers, especially in light of recent attacks on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) attributed to Israeli forces.

Overall, the assistance discussed during her visit aims to support the Lebanese population affected by the ongoing conflict and the humanitarian fallout.

She warned that the continued conflict could lead to the 'complete destabilization' of Lebanon, a country known for its rich religious diversity.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with over 2,500 deaths and hundreds of thousands displaced, primarily in southern Lebanon.