A senior United Nations official has warned the Security Council that escalating violence between Israel and Iran-aligned groups, such as Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, could lead to a significantly more destructive conflict. UN political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo addressed the 15-member council on Friday, emphasizing the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.
As Israel’s conflict in Gaza approaches its one-year mark, the Israeli military conducted an air raid in Beirut on Friday, resulting in at least 14 deaths and 66 injuries. The Israeli forces claimed that high-ranking Hezbollah leaders were among those killed and vowed to continue military operations until they secure the area along the Lebanese border.
Hezbollah has not confirmed the reported deaths of its commanders. This airstrike followed a series of explosive attacks believed to be carried out by Israel, targeting Hezbollah’s communication devices and resulting in 37 deaths and thousands of injuries. The Israeli government has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement in these earlier incidents. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk stated that these attacks potentially violated international law and could be considered war crimes, emphasizing the necessity for adherence to the principles of humanitarian law.
Turk expressed deep concern over the humanitarian impact of the attacks, which have intensified fear and panic among the Lebanese population already grappling with a severe economic crisis. He called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the incidents and accountability for those responsible.
The Deputy US Ambassador to the UN, Robert Wood, echoed calls for compliance with international humanitarian law, urging all parties to minimize civilian harm in densely populated areas. He stressed the importance of avoiding actions that could lead to a wider war.
As tensions escalate, tens of thousands have been evacuated from homes along the Israel-Lebanon border. Israel has signaled its readiness to use force if necessary to ensure the safety of its citizens, recalling the last major conflict with Hezbollah 18 years ago.
