In a statement, Conor Lenihan, Minister for State for Development Cooperation and Human Rights, sand an immediate sum of500,000 euros in humanitarian relief will be made available for Lebanon, and 500,000 euros in emergency humanitarian support will be provided for Palestine.

He said that Irish government "has called for an end to the violence in and from Lebanon, Israel and Palestine and is extremely concerned at the large number of civilian casualties and the continued destruction of essential infrastructure."

"We will continue to exert our influence directly with the parties and within the European Union and at the United Nation to end the crisis and encourage a return to political negotiation," he added.

In Lebanon, the funding announced on Friday will be provided to UN Agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the non-government organizations, which are assisting the displaced populations with emergency shelter and basic needs.

Ireland has a long term programme of development and humanitarian assistance in Palestine. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is a key humanitarian partner for Irish aid in Palestine.

Friday's funding announcement will bring to 2 million euros (2.5 million dollars) the support provided by Ireland to UNRWS this year, and Ireland's support in development and humanitarian programme in Palestine will be in excess of 4 million euros this year.