UNITED NATIONS, April 9 (V7N) – The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, on Wednesday warned that ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon posed a "grave risk" to the fragile US-Iran ceasefire, according to a statement from his spokesperson.

Lebanon Strikes: On Wednesday, Israeli airstrikes hit central Beirut and other areas of Lebanon, marking the most violent bombardment since the war between Israel and Hezbollah began. According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, at least 182 people were killed, and 890 others were wounded in the strikes.

Impact on Ceasefire: The UN Secretary-General reiterated his call for an immediate halt to hostilities, stressing that the ongoing violence in Lebanon undermines efforts toward a lasting peace in the region. Guterres called on all parties to cease military actions to avoid further escalation.

Israel's Stance: While Iran and the United States reached a two-week ceasefire late on Tuesday, Israel insisted that the conflict with Lebanon, particularly Hezbollah’s involvement, was not part of the truce agreement.

Hezbollah Response: In retaliation for Israeli strikes, Hezbollah fired rockets towards Israel, escalating tensions. Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, also hinted at the possibility of breaking the ceasefire due to continued Israeli military actions.

UN and ICRC Condemnation: The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, condemned the scale of violence in Lebanon, calling it "nothing short of horrific." The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) echoed similar concerns, decrying the significant loss of civilian lives.

Diplomatic Efforts: Despite the escalating violence, the UN Secretary-General stressed that there was no military solution to the conflict, urging all parties to use diplomatic channels to resolve their differences.

French President’s Call for Ceasefire: French President Emmanuel Macron also joined the international outcry, urging that Lebanon be included in the truce between Iran and the United States to ensure comprehensive peace in the region.

As violence continues in Lebanon, the possibility of a broader regional conflict grows, with significant implications for the US-Iran truce and global diplomatic efforts to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, hoping for de-escalation before further civilian casualties occur.

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