Samuel Case, FISM News

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In an expression of solidarity, Israel lit up the Lebanese flag on the Tel Aviv city hall after the tragic explosion in Beirut that killed 135 people and injured over 5,000. This is a rare moment between the two nations as Israel has been warring with Lebanon for decades. Israel considers the Iranian backed Hezbollah in Lebanon one of it’s biggest threats; exchanging fire in late July of this year.  Hezbollah is considered a terrorist group by many Western nations including the U.S. and Israel. 

The Mayor of Tel Aviv, Ron Huldai said the illumination was to represent the common humanity between the two countries. Huldai expressed his sympathies on Twitter saying, “The city hall building is lit tonight with the Lebanese flag. Humanity precedes any conflict, and our hearts go out to our Lebanese neighbors in light of the catastrophic event.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is offering aid to Lebanon in the aftermath of the explosion. An Israeli defense official has suggested Israel and the U.N. could “set up and operate field hospitals on our side of the border and admit casualties from Lebanon.” According to official Lebanon has not responded to the overture. 

In an address to the Knesset Netanyahu said Israel distinguishes “between the regimes” of their enemies “and the people,” and explained Israel has a long history of assisting the people of rival nations when in need. Netanyahu said “During the humanitarian crisis in Syria, I ordered the building of a field hospital at our border in the Golan Heights… We offered several times, after earthquakes and natural disasters in Iran, humanitarian assistance to the Iranian people.”

Sourced from Reuters American Wire and The Times of Israel