The United Nations has issued a grave warning of an impending catastrophe in the Middle East as violence between Israel and Hezbollah continues to escalate. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the UN special coordinator for Lebanon, stressed that a military solution will not bring safety to either side, highlighting the urgent need for diplomatic intervention.
Tensions escalated overnight when Hezbollah launched 150 missiles into Israel. While the Israeli military intercepted most of the missiles, some struck residential buildings in Haifa, causing fires and injuries. This marks the farthest reach of Hezbollah’s attacks since the conflict began in October 2023.
In response, Israel launched air strikes targeting southern Lebanon, reportedly destroying thousands of Hezbollah rocket launchers. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq also claimed responsibility for additional drone and missile attacks on Israel during the night.
Amid the growing violence, Germany has called for urgent measures to de-escalate the conflict, warning that Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza could spill over into Lebanon. The German foreign ministry stressed the need for diplomatic efforts to prevent further civilian casualties.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has engaged in talks with Israeli and Lebanese counterparts to seek solutions. Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s office also warned that a broader regional conflict could have devastating consequences, calling the potential destruction “catastrophic” for the entire region.
As violence continues to escalate, global leaders are urgently seeking a way to prevent further destruction and loss of life in the Middle East.
