UNITED NATIONS: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday warned of the risk of turning Lebanon into “another Gaza,” as hostilities flare between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah.
Speaking to CNN ahead of the UN General Assembly’s annual gathering, Guterres highlighted the lack of interest in a ceasefire from both Israel and Hamas, stating, “It is clear that neither the government of Israel nor Hamas really want a ceasefire. And that is a tragedy because this is a war that must stop.”
The situation has further deteriorated in recent weeks, with a significant increase in cross-border exchanges between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, the Lebanese group.
Guterres said that the continuous military confrontations pose a severe threat to Lebanon’s stability, warning, “What concerns me is the possibility of transforming Lebanon into another Gaza.”
READ ALSO: Israel Kills Top Hezbollah Leader in Beirut Strike
Recent Israeli airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut killed at least 45 people, including a senior Hezbollah commander, according to reports from the Lebanese health ministry.
This escalation has raised alarm bells regarding a potential all-out war, as heavy fire was exchanged over the weekend.
Hezbollah’s deputy chief, Naim Qassem, said that the group is entering a “new phase” in its conflict with Israel, vowing to engage in open confrontation.
