Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that Lebanon is on the brink of becoming another Gaza, with escalating hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia. In an exclusive interview with Arab News on Friday, Guterres urged that "an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah is something we need to avoid at all costs."
The conflict intensified following pager and walkie-talkie device attacks across Lebanon last week, which resulted in 37 deaths and over 3,000 injuries. Further exchanges of fire along the Lebanese border have increased regional tensions to a critical point. A doctor in Beirut reported performing eye surgery on a man injured by one of these communication device blasts, underscoring the human toll of the escalating violence.
Guterres, speaking ahead of the 79th UN General Assembly, expressed deep concern over the continuing war in Gaza, now approaching its one-year anniversary. He reiterated his condemnation of Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, but stressed that collective punishment of the Palestinian people is unjustifiable. “We must stop the war in Gaza,” he said, emphasizing the need for de-escalation and dialogue to prevent further civilian casualties.
As Lebanon grapples with rising violence, Guterres highlighted the importance of avoiding a full-scale conflict in the region. He called for a resolution of border issues, particularly the demarcation of the Blue Line, and insisted that a political solution is the only way forward to resolve both the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the growing instability in Lebanon.
Guterres also acknowledged the limitations of the UN's influence, particularly due to geopolitical dynamics within the Security Council. Despite these challenges, he emphasized the organization's commitment to advocating for international law, humanitarian aid, and a two-state solution as the ultimate resolution for the conflict.
This growing unrest comes as Guterres prepares to participate in high-level discussions at the General Assembly, which is expected to focus on global security concerns and the pressing need for diplomatic efforts in conflict zones.
The conflict intensified following pager and walkie-talkie device attacks across Lebanon last week, which resulted in 37 deaths and over 3,000 injuries. Further exchanges of fire along the Lebanese border have increased regional tensions to a critical point. A doctor in Beirut reported performing eye surgery on a man injured by one of these communication device blasts, underscoring the human toll of the escalating violence.
Guterres, speaking ahead of the 79th UN General Assembly, expressed deep concern over the continuing war in Gaza, now approaching its one-year anniversary. He reiterated his condemnation of Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, but stressed that collective punishment of the Palestinian people is unjustifiable. “We must stop the war in Gaza,” he said, emphasizing the need for de-escalation and dialogue to prevent further civilian casualties.
As Lebanon grapples with rising violence, Guterres highlighted the importance of avoiding a full-scale conflict in the region. He called for a resolution of border issues, particularly the demarcation of the Blue Line, and insisted that a political solution is the only way forward to resolve both the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the growing instability in Lebanon.
Guterres also acknowledged the limitations of the UN's influence, particularly due to geopolitical dynamics within the Security Council. Despite these challenges, he emphasized the organization's commitment to advocating for international law, humanitarian aid, and a two-state solution as the ultimate resolution for the conflict.
This growing unrest comes as Guterres prepares to participate in high-level discussions at the General Assembly, which is expected to focus on global security concerns and the pressing need for diplomatic efforts in conflict zones.
