Federal Ministry of Finance approves million-dollar aid for evacuation of German citizens from Lebanon
The Federal Ministry of Finance has approved a multi-million sum for the possible evacuation of German citizens from Lebanon. Expenditures of up to approximately 4.5 million euros can thus be incurred, as revealed in a letter from the ministry to the Bundestag published on Tuesday. The Federal Foreign Office had reportedly requested this. Due to the urgency, the planned consultation procedure was waived, during which the Bundestag's Committee on the Budget would have been informed beforehand.
The ministry justifies this step with the tense situation in the Israeli-Lebanese border region. "A comprehensive military confrontation could occur in the short term," it states. Since evacuations via land are ruled out, the only option is by sea. "Therefore, it is urgently necessary to reserve ferries for a possible evacuation," the ministry writes. This is necessary in the high season in summer, as many ferries are booked.
The federal government has recently dampened expectations of a swift evacuation of Germans from Lebanon. "It is not entirely likely that there will be a swift airlift," a spokesperson for the Federal Foreign Office said. The federal government again appeals to all those affected to leave as soon as possible on their own means.
Regarding a possible evacuation operation for Germans in Israel, the spokesperson referred to such an operation that had already taken place following the Hamas attack in October.
The approval of funds for the evacuation signifies the potential need for Germans to leave Lebanon due to the volatile situation. The ministry emphasizes the necessity of reserving ferries for a potential sea evacuation, considering that land evacuations are unlikely.
