UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the Middle East is on the brink of a catastrophe following the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
Speaking in New York, Guterres described recent developments as a “serious escalation” that undermines efforts to end the war in Gaza.
Guterres urged all parties to actively work towards de-escalation in the region to ensure long-term peace and stability for all.
The UN Chief emphasized the importance of avoiding any actions that “could push the entire Middle East to the brink of an abyss, with devastating effects on civilians.”
Tensions in the Middle East have significantly risen after the arrest and subsequent assassination of the Hamas leader in Iran.
Following the assassination, Iran‘s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared that “it is our duty to avenge his blood.”
This statement comes in the wake of Israel targeting Hezbollah senior leader Fouad Shukr in southern Beirut, further escalating regional tensions.
Lebanon’s representative to the United Nations Security Council has claimed that “Israel is trying to drag the region into a regional war with catastrophic consequences.” This statement followed the assassination of Hezbollah leader Fouad Shukr and Hamas commander Ismail Haniyeh.
During an emergency session of the Council, the representative emphasized that “the Israeli attack on the Beirut suburb targeted a residential area,” noting that “this assault represents a dangerous escalation.”
He added: “It is ironic that the killer of thousands of children in Gaza is lamenting the children of Majdal Shams.”
On Tuesday, the Israeli military announced it had carried out a “precise” strike in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, which resulted in the death of a Hezbollah commander responsible for “the killing of children in Majdal Shams and many Israeli citizens.”
The attack, which targeted a building in the southern suburb of Beirut, resulted in four deaths and approximately 80 injuries.
