The World Health Organization has already delivered 100 pallets of medical supplies to Lebanon, including 1,000 emergency kits. "These devices and medicines will be distributed to hospitals that would be particularly affected in a war," said Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad.
This is mostly about hospitals in southern Lebanon, where the Iran-linked Shiite militia Hezbollah launched a war with Israel in October, backing Hamas. Within the framework of these hostilities, 12 children and young people were recently killed on the Golan Heights.
Long queues at Beirut airport
After the assassination of the Hezbollah commander who ordered the attack and the death of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in an assassination attempt attributed to Israel, Iran threatened to strike back. Since then, the region has been in anxious anticipation.
At Beirut airport, passengers have been waiting for hours trying to board one of the flights that have not yet been cancelled. "We will fly now, instead of at the end of August," a Lebanese woman living in Paris told ARD. It is not only she who fears that the so far limited clashes could turn into a major war.
Closing is unlikely for now
Many of the passengers stranded in Beirut probably fear a repeat of the events of 2006. Then, in response to Hezbollah's capture of two Israeli soldiers, Israeli planes bombed the Beirut airport. Israel cited as the reason that the airport could be used to import weapons to Hezbollah.
Now, the Association of Private Pilots in Lebanon does not believe that the Beirut airport can be closed unless it is necessary - for example in case of bombing. The chairman of the association, Mazen Samak, told DV the following: "People have also found ways to leave in the past - for example through Tripoli or Junia. Given the circumstances, I believe that even if there is a need to close the airport now, it will only be for a few hours or a day or two at most. Closing it down is simply not an option at this time".
Israel is on the highest level of combat readiness
Observers and military experts such as Qatar's Ahmed Rahal say the decline in tensions looks increasingly unlikely. In front of "Al Jazeera" TV Rahal said: "Along with US air bases, Israel has put its air force and navy on maximum alert.
Iran is preparing a response after the assassination of Ismail Haniya, and Hezbollah - a retaliatory strike after the assassination of high-ranking commander Fuad Shukr and other militia leaders. "In the context of this tension and preparation, we are approaching the precipice," says Rahal, who speaks of a "war on many fronts".