World leaders have sounded the alarm about an “all-out” warfare and referred to as for a de-escalation of Israel’s devastating air strikes in Lebanon, elevating regional tensions over Israel’s ongoing warfare in Gaza.
The assaults, which started on Monday and lasted till Tuesday, had been Israel’s most violent assaults on its northern neighbor and resulted within the highest single-day demise toll in Lebanon for the reason that finish of the 1975-90 civil warfare.
On Tuesday, the Lebanese Well being Ministry mentioned Israeli airstrikes killed 558 individuals, together with 50 youngsters and 94 girls. Assaults on civilian websites throughout the nation injured greater than 1,600 individuals and compelled tens of 1000’s to flee the south.
Listed below are some reactions:
United Nations
Secretary-Common António Guterres mentioned he was “gravely alarmed by the escalating state of affairs alongside the Blue Line,” referring to Lebanon’s border with Israel and the occupied Golan Heights, and the “massive variety of civilian casualties.”
His spokesman Stephane Dujarric mentioned the UN chief additionally expressed “excessive concern for the security of civilians in southern Lebanon and northern Israel, in addition to the security of UN workers in these areas”.
UNICEF chief Catherine Russell highlighted the “escalating risks” threatening “numerous” youngsters.
She mentioned youngsters had been additionally struggling “surprising psychological misery” because of displacement and relentless shelling and airstrikes, and referred to as for rapid de-escalation.
Iran
Israel calls Iran an ally of Lebanese Hezbollah, and Iran accuses Israel of making an attempt to lure it right into a battle that will have “irreversible penalties.”
“We need to reside in peace, we don’t want warfare,” President Masoud Pezeshkian mentioned, including, “It’s Israel that’s making an attempt to create this all-out battle.”
“We all know higher than anybody {that a} bigger warfare within the Center East wouldn’t profit anybody on this planet,” he mentioned.
“We should not permit Lebanon to develop into one other Gaza within the palms of Israel,” the president mentioned in an interview with CNN.
“Hezbollah can’t stand alone towards a rustic that’s defended, supported and equipped by Western nations – European nations and america of America,” he advised the broadcaster.
The overseas ministry referred to as the Israeli assaults “loopy” and mentioned they’d have “harmful penalties”.
Jordan
Overseas Minister Ayman Safadi urged international motion to de-escalate the battle and accused Israel of “aggression”.
“We emphasize the pressing want [UN] The Safety Council takes rapid motion to cease Israel’s aggression.”
Egypt
The overseas ministry referred to as on the United Nations Safety Council to intervene and condemned any “violation of Lebanese sovereignty”.
Egypt, an necessary mediator between Israel and Hamas, has repeatedly warned of escalating tensions within the area and mentioned it “may drag the area right into a full-scale regional warfare.”
Egypt expressed “solidarity” with Lebanon and mentioned it “continues efforts to realize a ceasefire in Gaza.”
Qatar
The Overseas Ministry condemned Israel’s aggression “within the strongest phrases”.
“[The] The principle purpose for the continued escalation is the dearth of any deterrent impact from Israel’s actions, which proceed to violate worldwide legislation repeatedly and with continued impunity,” it mentioned in an announcement.
“This actuality has exacerbated the disaster, introduced the area to the sting of the abyss and uncovered it to further tensions that can have far-reaching regional and worldwide penalties,” the report added.
Saudi Arabia
The Ministry of Overseas Affairs mentioned it was “extremely involved” about developments in Lebanon and urged “all events to train most restraint”.
It harassed “the significance of respecting Lebanese sovereignty” whereas calling on the worldwide group to play a task in easing tensions within the area.
United Arab Emirates
The Gulf state expressed “deep concern” and reiterated its stance towards “violence, escalation, uncalculated actions and reactions that disregard state relations and sovereign legal guidelines,” in response to state media.
USA
For the reason that outbreak of the Gaza warfare, america has supplied billions of {dollars} in weapons to Israel and has additionally promoted tense mediation actions between Israel and Hezbollah, nevertheless it nonetheless hopes that either side can withdraw from the brink of warfare.
President Joe Biden, who met with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the White Home, mentioned: “My workforce has been in fixed contact with our counterparts and we’re working to de-escalate the state of affairs in a means that permits individuals to return dwelling safely. “.
Though the Pentagon mentioned america was sending further troops to the Center East in response to developments in Lebanon, spokesman Patrick Ryder didn’t specify the energy or particular duties of the extra troops.
The USA has roughly 40,000 troops within the area.
“Given the heightened tensions within the Center East, and out of an abundance of warning, we’re deploying a small variety of further U.S. navy personnel to enhance our forces already within the area. Nevertheless, for operational safety causes, I cannot remark or present particular particulars,” Ryder mentioned.
group of seven
The G7 referred to as for “an finish to the present damaging cycle,” which may plunge “your complete Center East right into a broader regional battle with unimaginable penalties.”
The Group of Seven, composed of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and america, mentioned in an announcement that “actions and counter-reactions may exacerbate this harmful escalation of violence.”
U.Okay.
Overseas Secretary David Lamy mentioned he was “deeply alarmed” by ongoing air strikes in Lebanon and Israel.
“Additional escalation of the state of affairs may have much more devastating penalties. I as soon as once more name on either side to stop hearth instantly.
European Union
Overseas coverage chief Josep Borrell warned that “we’re nearly in a complete warfare” and referred to as for an all-out effort to de-escalate the state of affairs on the sidelines of the U.N. Common Meeting in New York.
Referring to rising civilian casualties and the depth of Israeli assaults, he mentioned, “If this isn’t a warfare state of affairs, I do not know what you’ll name it.”
“In New York, the time to take action is now. Everybody should do the whole lot they’ll to cease this path to warfare,” he added.
Greece
The nation, which was elected to the U.N. Safety Council for 2025-26 earlier this 12 months, mentioned the escalation confirmed a collective failure of the worldwide group.
“We now have not stopped the unfold, and the extra decentralized the warfare is, the extra sophisticated it’s to resolve the issue,” Overseas Minister Georgie Gerapetritis advised Reuters.
“Lebanon may simply develop into a area of nice hostility that we might not be capable of deal with. It’s an apparent minefield.
France
France mentioned assaults on either side of the border ought to “finish instantly” and referred to as for an emergency assembly of the United Nations Safety Council to resolve the battle.
“My ideas are with the Lebanese individuals, as a result of the Israeli assault has simply killed lots of of civilians, together with dozens of kids,” Overseas Minister Jean-Noel Barrow mentioned. “These assaults on either side of the Blue Line and within the wider area should finish instantly.”
Belgium
Deputy Prime Minister Petra Desat mentioned she was “shocked” by the toll of casualties attributable to Israeli assaults in Lebanon.
“492 individuals had been killed in Lebanon. +1,600 injured. Lots of of 1000’s had been ordered to flee their properties. In someday,” she wrote on X.
“This horrific assault by Israel won’t carry any options to the area. Solely diplomacy can permit residents to return dwelling safely. Solely a ceasefire can finish the struggling,” she added.
China
Overseas Minister Wang Yi mentioned that China firmly helps Lebanon in safeguarding its sovereignty and strongly condemns Israel’s assaults.
In keeping with the Ministry of Overseas Affairs, Wang Yi advised Lebanese Overseas Minister Abdullah Bou Habib: “We pay shut consideration to regional developments, particularly the latest explosions of communications gear in Lebanon, and firmly oppose indiscriminate assaults towards civilians. “
Wang mentioned China would “stand on the facet of justice and the facet of Arab brothers, together with Lebanon,” the assertion mentioned.
Russia
The Kremlin says an escalation within the battle between Israel and Hezbollah may destabilize the area.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov advised reporters that “after all, it is a probably very harmful occasion” that might broaden the battle zone and “fully destabilize the area.”
Democracy within the Arab world now
The US-based non-profit mentioned Israel’s actions confirmed “that it desires a broad regional warfare, not solely within the occupied Palestinian territories, but additionally in Lebanon and Iran”.
“The one technique to cease its unbridled belligerence is to cease supplying it with an increasing number of American weapons,” mentioned Raed Jarrar, Daybreak Community’s advocacy director.
“With out an finish to Israeli assaults within the area, there is no such thing as a path to peace and the results will prolong far past Lebanon’s borders.”
save the youngsters
The UK-based group highlighted the affect of battle on youngsters, as they’re compelled to flee cities and villages with their households.
“We noticed strikes in dozens of cities and cities, with households desperately making an attempt to flee with no matter they might carry, and youngsters crying, terrified by the sounds of drones and fighter jets,” mentioned Jennifer Moorehead, nation director. ) mentioned, noting that roughly 1.5 million youngsters are out and about.
