U.N. Urges De-escalation in Escalating Israel-Hezbollah Conflict

The U.N. human rights chief has called for immediate action to prevent further escalation between Israel and Hezbollah. Cross-border attacks have raised fears of war, with heavy casualties and considerable damage to Lebanon’s health sector. The U.N. aims to ensure respect for international law and support displaced civilians.

The U.N. human rights chief issued an urgent appeal on Tuesday for all influencers in the Middle East to work towards de-escalating the intensifying hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. As cross-border attacks exacerbate fears of a full-scale war, the region's tensions mount.

Israel launched strikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, while its Iranian-backed adversary hit military facilities in northern Israel. This follows Lebanon’s deadliest day in decades, which saw over 500 people perish. The U.N.'s call for an end to the violence highlights the severe humanitarian impact and the necessity to abide by international law.

Volker Turk, the U.N. High Commissioner, urged international actors to take actionable steps to prevent further conflict. His spokesperson, Ravina Shamdasani, stressed the importance of adhering to international humanitarian law during warfare. Meanwhile, WHO officials noted that overwhelmed Lebanese hospitals received thousands of wounded civilians, further jeopardizing the fragile healthcare system.

(With inputs from agencies.)