UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that Lebanon is “on the verge of an all-out war.” However, he believes there is still time to avert this conflict.
Speaking at the UN headquarters in New York, Guterres described the Middle East as a “powder keg,” with multiple parties poised to ignite further violence. He has cautioned for months about the risks of the conflict spreading, particularly noting the escalating tensions in the occupied West Bank.
Recent days have seen increased exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and the Israel Defense Forces across the Blue Line. Guterres emphasized that these actions disregard Security Council resolutions 1701 and 1559.
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He highlighted the heavy toll of violence, stating that large-scale Israeli strikes deep into Lebanon, including Beirut, have resulted in over 2,000 deaths in the past year. Notably, 1,500 of these deaths occurred in just the last two weeks. Additionally, at least 49 people have died from attacks by Hezbollah and others south of the Blue Line over the same period.
The humanitarian crisis is severe, with Lebanese authorities reporting that over 1 million people have been displaced within Lebanon and 300,000 have fled to Syria. Furthermore, more than 60,000 individuals remain displaced in northern Israel.
“We are on the verge of an all-out war in Lebanon, with already devastating consequences,” Guterres stated. He stressed the need to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.
The UN chief commended the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, for continuing their work despite the challenges. He called on all parties to ensure their safety and security.
Guterres also addressed the broader humanitarian situation, characterizing the past year as one marked by multiple crises: humanitarian, political, diplomatic, and moral. He noted that the situation in Gaza has escalated dramatically, with over 41,000 Palestinians reportedly killed, predominantly women and children, since the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023.
“No part of Gaza has been spared,” he said. “No place is safe, and no one is safe.” He reiterated that international law mandates the protection of civilians and their essential needs, condemning all violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza.
The Secretary-General called for an immediate ceasefire in both Gaza and Lebanon, the unconditional release of hostages, and urgent humanitarian aid for those in need. He also urged for irreversible action toward a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.