UN Secretary General Comments on Israeli Attack on Lebanon

UN chief worries escalation in Middle East is increasing.(Anadolu)

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern over rising tensions between Israel and Lebanon, urging de-escalation and a diplomatic solution. The Blue Line serves as the border separating Lebanon from Israel and the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights.

“The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the escalating situation along the Blue Line. He is particularly concerned by the large number of civilian casualties reported by the Lebanese authorities, as well as the thousands of people displaced amid the most intense exchange of fire along the Blue Line since October last year,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters at a press conference, as reported by Anadolu, Tuesday (9/24).

Expressing Guterres’ deep concern for the safety of civilians and UN staff, Dujarric said the UN chief reiterated the urgent need for de-escalation and that all efforts should be directed towards a diplomatic solution.

Dujarric also conveyed Guterres’ message to UN Special Coordinator Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and UN peacekeeping chief Aroldo Lazaro, saying that no military solution would make either side safer.

Stressing the need for diplomatic efforts, Dujarric said it was necessary to protect civilians and ensure the safety and security of all UN personnel and assets. “The Secretary-General urges all parties to recommit to the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701, and to return immediately to a cessation of hostilities and the restoration of stability,” he added.

Lebanese health authorities say at least 274 people, including 21 children, have been killed and 1,024 others wounded in Israeli attacks since Monday morning, with thousands of civilians forced to flee their homes.

Tensions have escalated between Hezbollah and Israel following a deadly airstrike on Friday (20/9) that killed at least 45 people, including women and children, and wounded dozens more in a Beirut suburb. Hezbollah confirmed that at least 16 of its members, including senior leader Ibrahim Aqil and top commander Ahmed Wahbi, were killed in the Israeli airstrike.

Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in a cross-border war since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza, which has killed more than 41,400 people, mostly women and children, following a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7. (I-2)