UN Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a stark warning about the potential consequences of the escalating conflict between Lebanon and Israel, stressing that a full-scale war must be avoided at all costs. Guterres made these remarks during a UN Security Council meeting, underscoring the need for urgent measures to prevent Lebanon from becoming the next Gaza. His call to action is not just for the warring nations but for the entire international community to act decisively in averting further bloodshed.
Guterres Calls for Immediate Action
Guterres opened his address by highlighting the devastating potential of an all-out war in Lebanon. He urged that the international community take swift, concrete steps to prevent the conflict from spiralling out of control. “The people of Lebanon, Israel, and the world cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza,” he stated, reflecting on the rising tensions in the region. His plea was clear: the UN Security Council must push for the implementation of UN Resolutions 1559 and 1701, which call for the disarmament of non-state actors and respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty.
Protecting Civilians at All Costs
A key part of Guterres’ speech focused on the dire need to protect civilians. He strongly condemned attacks on civilian infrastructure and emphasised the importance of international law, calling for all sides to respect these principles. With rising civilian casualties and forced displacement, Guterres stressed the urgency of protecting not just the people of Lebanon and Israel but also UN personnel stationed in the region. “Civilians must be protected. Civilian infrastructure must not be targeted,” he added, reminding the Security Council of their responsibilities in safeguarding peace and human rights.
The Growing Humanitarian Crisis
The humanitarian situation in both Lebanon and Israel is worsening as violence escalates. According to Guterres, nearly 200,000 people in Lebanon and 60,000 in northern Israel have been displaced since the conflict surged in October. Many of these displaced communities are living in constant fear, unsure of when—or if—they can return home safely. This mounting crisis poses a serious threat to regional stability, with both southern Lebanon and northern Israel caught in the crossfire of an increasingly volatile situation.
Violation of Security Council Resolutions
Guterres also raised concerns about the repeated violations of Security Council Resolutions 1559 and 1701. The ongoing clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces are exacerbating the crisis, violating the UN mandates established to maintain peace and disarm non-state actors in the region. He emphasised the need for both sides to uphold these resolutions to avoid worsening the situation. The use of heavy weaponry by non-state actors, in particular, is a clear violation that threatens to destabilise not just Lebanon but the wider Middle East.
A Call for Sovereignty and Stability
In his closing remarks, Guterres reiterated the importance of respecting Lebanon’s sovereignty. He stressed that the Lebanese Armed Forces must be strengthened to exercise control over the country’s security and ensure that weapons are solely in the hands of state forces. “The communities of northern Israel and southern Lebanon must be able to return to their homes and live in safety and security without fear,” Guterres said, further calling for international support in bolstering Lebanon’s capacity to defend itself and maintain internal stability.
Warnings of Regional Spillover
The UN Chief’s warnings came as Israel launched a new wave of airstrikes on Lebanon, killing over 610 people and injuring thousands. This recent offensive has only escalated tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, which has been engaged in cross-border warfare since Israel’s conflict with Gaza intensified. The international community has expressed deep concerns that the Gaza conflict could spread further across the Middle East, with Lebanon becoming the next epicentre of violence.
In light of the deteriorating situation, Guterres called on all parties to immediately halt the violence and return to the negotiating table. “Let us say in one clear voice, stop the killing and destruction. An all-out war must be avoided at all costs. It would surely be an all-out catastrophe,” he urged. For Guterres, preventing another humanitarian disaster in the Middle East is not just a priority but a necessity for the global community.
