UN Secretary General António Guterres expressed deep concern following a significant escalation in hostilities between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, marking the largest exchange of cross-border strikes since the onset of the Gaza conflict.
On Sunday, Israeli airstrikes targeted numerous sites across southern Lebanon as preventive measures against a potential large-scale offensive, while Hezbollah retaliated with hundreds of rockets and drones aimed at Israel.
Guterres emphasized the risk posed to civilians and the broader implications for regional security and stability.
The United States has been actively working to de-escalate tensions, with both parties indicating a lack of interest in further conflict.
Since the war with Hamas commenced on October 7, exchanges of fire have become a daily occurrence along the Israel-Lebanon border.
Hezbollah has stated its actions are in solidarity with Hamas. Both groups have ties to Iran and are classified as terrorist organizations by several countries.
According to Lebanon’s health ministry, over 560 individuals have died since October, primarily Hezbollah fighters, alongside 26 civilians and 24 soldiers killed in Israel.
Approximately 200,000 individuals have been displaced on both sides of the border.
The Israeli military launched its attacks against Hezbollah early Sunday morning, deploying around 100 aircraft to strike over 40 locations in southern Lebanon, targeting rocket launchers.
The strikes followed intelligence indicating Hezbollah was preparing for a major aerial assault.
Hezbollah claimed two of its members, along with a fighter from the allied Amal movement, were killed in the Israeli strikes.
Hezbollah reports having targeted 11 military facilities in Israel and the Golan Heights with 340 rockets and numerous drones, framing the assault as retaliation for the assassination of senior military commander Fuad Shukr in July.
The Israeli military claimed to have intercepted many incoming threats from Hezbollah, indicating the projectiles that impacted resulted in little damage.
However, reports confirmed that a navy soldier was killed in the northern combat zone when an interceptor engaged a drone.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah addressed supporters in a televised speech, suggesting a temporary end to hostilities. He asserted that the group’s initial response to Shukr’s assassination was executed “as planned,” while hinting at the possibility of future retaliation.
He urged the Lebanese population to remain calm and resume their daily lives amidst the ongoing tensions.
In a cabinet meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the situation was far from resolved, emphasizing their targeted strikes against Hezbollah.
Netanyahu noted previous successful operations against Hezbollah’s leadership and communicated a clear warning to Hezbollah and Iranian leaders regarding Israel’s intent to alter the security landscape in the north.
Guterres called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, urging both sides to return to peace talks.
U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan expressed hope that the recent actions would not escalate into a broader regional conflict, confirming ongoing diplomatic efforts to prevent such an outcome.
Diplomats reported that both sides have exchanged messages indicating a mutual desire to avoid further escalation.
Sullivan also highlighted that U.S. officials have been engaged in intense negotiations in Cairo to facilitate a new ceasefire and discussions around hostages in Gaza, which are seen as crucial for stabilizing the Israel-Lebanon border.
Despite these efforts, no substantial progress has been achieved, with Hamas representatives recently departing Cairo to deliberate on the talks’ outcomes.
