United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has reiterated the organization’s demand for an immediate ceasefire in both Gaza and Lebanon, as tensions in the Middle East continue to rise.
“We cannot and will not give up on our calls for an immediate ceasefire both in Gaza and Lebanon, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, and immediate lifesaving aid to all those who desperately need it. All people in the region deserve to live in peace,” Guterres said in a video message shared on X.
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He also warned that the conflict in the Middle East is intensifying. “The conflict in the Middle East is getting worse by the hour and our warnings about the horrific impacts of escalation keep coming to pass. Every air strike, every missile launch, every rocket fired, pushes peace further out of reach and makes the suffering even worse for the millions of civilians caught in the middle,” Guterres added.
October 7 marked one month since Hamas launched its attack on Israel, a day Guterres described as a time for the global community to denounce the “abhorrent acts of Hamas.” On Monday, he expressed solidarity with all victims and reiterated the need for an immediate and unconditional release of hostages held in Gaza.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the Israeli army announced plans to target several buildings in Dahiyeh, a southern suburb of Beirut, according to Al Jazeera. Reports from the network indicated that at least four strikes had occurred within hours, though the extent of the damage remains unclear. Israel claimed the attacks were aimed at Hezbollah intelligence quarters.
In the Baalbek region, flames lit up the night sky following an Israeli strike, though specific targets are yet to be confirmed. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported at least 36 deaths and 150 injuries across the country on Monday amid increasing Israeli airstrikes.
In response, Hezbollah fired 180 rockets into Israeli territory during various assaults on Wednesday, including over 80 rockets aimed at Haifa, a northern Israeli city. In a public address, Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Naim Qassem, asserted that the group’s military capabilities remain intact.
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