United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres stressed that the world cannot tolerate Lebanon turning into another Gaza, expressing his "deep concern" about the growing tensions between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah along the Blue Line.
Guterres said, in a press conference in New York: “Today I felt it my duty to express my deep concerns about the escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, along the Blue Line,” noting that “the escalation of hostile rhetoric from both sides (suggests) as if an all-out war is imminent.”
Warning of a broader regional conflict in the Middle East, Guterres stressed that “the world cannot afford Lebanon to turn into another Gaza,” and that “one reckless step, one miscalculation, could lead to a catastrophe that goes beyond borders and, frankly, beyond expectations.”
The Secretary-General of the United Nations highlighted the loss of life, the displacement of many people, and the destruction of their homes and livelihoods in southern Lebanon, and added: “Let us be clear, the people of the region and the world cannot afford for Lebanon to become another Gaza.”
Guterres pointed out that the Israeli occupation forces targeted several towns in southern Lebanon with explosives that caused forest fires that pose a threat to residential areas, and pointed out that "unexploded ordnance and remnants of war fill the area." Stressing that this "poses additional threats to people in Israel and Lebanon, as well as to the United Nations and humanitarian relief personnel."
It is urging restraint to avoid catastrophic consequences.
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