By Muhammad Ayub
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed grave concern on Saturday over the dramatic escalation of events in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, in the past 24 hours.
Israeli airstrikes in southern suburbs aimed at Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, reportedly resulting in his death, have heightened tensions along the UN-monitored Blue Line in southern Lebanon, amid ongoing violence tied to the war in Gaza. UN Secretary-General António Guterres, through spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, called for an immediate halt to the violence, urging all parties to adhere to UN Security Council resolution 1701, which seeks to end hostilities and establish a demilitarized zone following the 2006 Lebanon conflict.
Guterres also reiterated the need for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, while UNICEF expanded shelter operations for families displaced by recent attacks. The UN refugee agency reported a sharp increase in people fleeing to the Lebanon-Syria border, many of whom are exhausted and in dire need. Since October 2023, over 211,000 individuals have been displaced, prompting emergency responses from UNRWA, which has opened shelters for affected populations. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini highlighted the trauma experienced by civilians and stressed the necessity of protecting them and refraining from targeting civilian infrastructure.
