A senior United Nations official urged all parties in Lebanon’s escalating conflict to “accept a ceasefire” on Monday, as Israeli airstrikes targeted Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut’s southern suburbs.
The plea follows similar calls from EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell for an immediate cessation of hostilities and comments from a US envoy last week suggesting a deal could be close.
Speaking to the UN Security Council, envoy Muhannad Hadi, representing Middle East envoy Tor Wennesland, warned of the deteriorating situation.
“The situation remains grave across the region,” Hadi said, referencing ongoing Israeli military operations along the Blue Line border with Lebanon and retaliatory rocket attacks by Hezbollah, including heavy barrages over the weekend.
“I welcome the ongoing diplomatic efforts to reach a cessation of hostilities and urge the parties to accept a ceasefire anchored in the full implementation of UNSCR 1701,” he added.
UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, mandates that only UN peacekeepers and the Lebanese army can operate in southern Lebanon. Despite this, Hezbollah reportedly continues to maintain a presence in the area, with tensions escalating further since the Israeli ground offensive began on September 30.
