Israel Has Offered Humanitarian, Medical Aid to Lebanon After Beirut Blast, Defence Minister Says

A powerful explosion hit the port of Beirut earlier today resulting in dozens of people killed and thousands injured. It began as a short bang, five minutes later white and black smoke emerged and then a powerful blast followed, launching a heavy stream of red smoke into the air.

Israel has offered humanitarian and medical aid to Lebanon after massive blast that hit Beirut earlier today, Defence Minister Benjamin Gantz said in a statement.

According to Israel's Maariv newspaper, the offer was made through diplomatic and defence channels, under the direction of Gantz and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi.

Israeli people share the pain of their Lebanese neighbours after the blast and reach out to offer their aid, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin said later in the day.

We share the pain of the Lebanese people and sincerely reach out to offer our aid at this difficult time. https://t.co/pCzRiKiX4K

— Reuven Rivlin (@PresidentRuvi) August 4, 2020

Earlier in the day, the Knesset television channel said that Israel was not involved in the explosion that took place in the port of Beirut.

Hundreds of people are believed to have suffered injuries following a blast at the city's port. According to an Al Jazeera correspondent, ambulances carrying victims of the explosion are still arriving at hospitals in the Lebanese capital.

The explosion took place at 5.11 pm local time (14:11 GMT).

The Lebanese authorities have earlier refuted the initial reports that the blast was caused by a fire at a fireworks warehouse near the port.