International media reported that walkie-talkies used by members of the militant group Hezbollah exploded on Wednesday, a day after hundreds of pagers across the country exploded simultaneously.
Mr. Guterres is deeply concerned by reports that a large number of communications equipment have exploded in Lebanon and Syria over the past two days, his spokesman said in a statement. a statement.
At least 11 people were killed, including children – and thousands more were injured.
Stop fighting, restore stability
“The Secretary-General calls on all parties concerned to exercise maximum restraint to avoid any further escalation,” the statement said.
He also called on all parties to recommit to fully implementing United Nations resolutions. Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006) and immediately return to a ceasefire to restore stability.
Passed in August 2006, the resolution aimed to end the war that broke out that year between Israel and Hezbollah, on Lebanese soil. The resolution called for a cessation of hostilities, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, and the establishment of a demilitarized zone.
The statement ends with the statement The United Nations “supports all diplomatic and political efforts to end the violence that threatens to engulf the region.”
De-escalation ‘more important than ever’: UN human rights chief
The device explosions came amid the war in Gaza and attacks last year in Lebanon, Syria’s Golan Heights and Iran, which are linked to that conflict.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, also issued a statement condemned the simultaneous and widespread explosions and stressed the need for de-escalation.
“At this extremely volatile time, I call on all countries with influence in the region and beyond to take immediate steps to prevent the current conflicts from spreading further – enough of the daily horrors, enough of the suffering,” he said.
“It is time for leaders to act to protect the right of all people to live in peace and security. Protecting civilians must be a top priority.. De-escalation is more important now than ever.”
Call for investigation
“The simultaneous targeting of thousands of individuals, whether civilians or members of armed groups, not knowing who owned the targeted devices, their location and the surroundings at the time of the attack, in violation of international human rights law and, to the extent applicable, international humanitarian law.”
He called for an independent, comprehensive and transparent investigation, and for those who ordered and carried out the attacks to be held accountable.
The UN special coordinator for Lebanon also warned of the risk of escalation.
“Saddened by the loss of life today due to multiple explosive devices, I can only reiterate the call for restraint. Further escalation risks having devastating consequences,” Jeanine Hennis-Plaschaert wrote in a post on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
The special envoy also acknowledged the efforts of medical teams “working under enormous pressure to save lives and treat the injured”.
