Middle East: Attacks in Beirut and Tehran ‘represent dangerous escalation’, Guterres warns
“The Secretary-General believes that the attacks we have seen in South Beirut and Tehran represents a dangerous escalation at a time when all efforts should instead be directed towards a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all Israeli hostages, a massive increase in humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza and the restoration of calm in Lebanon and across the Green Line,” UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said in statement issued on Wednesday.
“Instead, what we are seeing are efforts to undermine these goals,” he added.
Tensions escalate
On Tuesday, Israel carried out an airstrike on a densely populated southern suburb of Beirut, reportedly targeting a senior Hezbollah commander, Fuad Shukr, who was killed, according to media reports.
The incident comes after a rocket attack on a football stadium in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Saturday killed 12 civilians, mostly children and teenagers.
On Wednesday morning, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran, reportedly in an Israeli airstrike.
Restraint alone is not enough.
The Secretary-General has repeatedly called on everyone to exercise maximum restraint, Mr. Dujarric said, adding,However, it is increasingly clear that restraint alone is not enough at this extremely sensitive time.“ .
The UN Secretary-General called on everyone to make every effort towards the goal of de-escalating tensions in the region for the sake of lasting peace and stability for all, he said.
“The international community must act together urgently to prevent any action that could push the entire Middle East to the brink, with devastating consequences for civilians. The way to do so is to promote comprehensive diplomatic action to de-escalate the situation in the region,” the statement concluded.
UN special envoy concerned
The UN’s top envoy to the Middle East also expressed deep concern about recent developments which he said “could have far-reaching implications for the region”.
In a series of posts on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, Tor Wennesland call to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could further destabilize the region.
The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Process said he was in contact with all parties involved in an effort to de-escalate tensions, and the goal was clear – de-escalation in the region, including achieving a ceasefire and releasing all hostages in Gaza, and moving towards a lasting agreement.
United Nations Security Council in New York will meet at 4 p.m. Wednesday to debate the crisis.
Regional efforts to de-escalate
Meanwhile, UN envoys in the region also called for a de-escalation.
Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, Special Coordinator for Lebanon, reaffirmed that there is no military solution to this crisis and called on both Israel and Lebanon to utilize all diplomatic avenues to pursue a cessation of hostilities, Mr. Dujarric told journalists at regular press conference at the United Nations Headquarters, in New York.
The UN spokeswoman added that she also called on them to recommit to implementing resolution 1701.
Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix arrived in Lebanon this week as part of a tour of the Middle East.
He held meetings with senior government and military leaders in Beirut, including Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Mikati. Discussions focused on the current situation in southern Lebanon and beyond the Green Line, and the important work being done by the United Nations Interim Force there (United Nations) doing.
Similarly, on Wednesday, Sigrid Kaag, the UN High Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, met with Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi in Qatar to discuss the urgent need to prepare for a ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access and the release of all hostages.
She expressed gratitude to Qatar for its mediation efforts and support for the United Nations efforts in Gaza, and relayed the Secretary-General’s deep concern about the escalation in the region.
Also on Wednesday, Ms. Kaag met with senior Egyptian officials to discuss efforts to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Mr. Dujarric announced.
More to follow…
