UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over the escalating exchange of fire along the Blue Line in Lebanon.
In statements reported by the American channel “Al-Hurra” on Sunday evening, the UN Secretary-General warned that these actions put both Lebanese and Israeli civilians at risk and threaten regional security and stability.
Guterres called on all parties to immediately de-escalate the situation and urgently return to a cessation of hostilities, fully implementing Resolution 1701.
Since October 2023, tensions between Hezbollah and Israel have been steadily escalating. The conflict has seen a series of exchanges, including rocket and drone attacks from Hezbollah, targeting Israeli military positions and civilian areas. Israel has responded with heavy airstrikes, hitting Hezbollah targets deep within Lebanon.
The situation intensified after Israel assassinated key figures associated with Hezbollah and other groups linked to Iran, including a high-ranking Hezbollah commander. This has prompted retaliatory attacks from Hezbollah, with the group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, declaring that Israel had crossed “all red lines” and vowing further actions.
Both sides have signaled that a full-scale war is not desired at this point, but the continued exchanges have heightened fears of a broader conflict. The United Nations and other international actors have called for immediate de-escalation to prevent the situation from spiraling into a wider regional war.
Hezbollah’s recent operations have included targeting key Israeli military installations, with a particular focus on intelligence and command centers. These attacks have drawn significant Israeli military responses, including air raids that have targeted not just Hezbollah but also broader infrastructure in southern Lebanon.
As tensions remain high, the international community, including the United Nations, has urged both parties to return to a ceasefire and fully implement the terms of UN Resolution 1701, which calls for a cessation of hostilities along the Israel-Lebanon border.
