UN calls for deescalation of fighting along Lebanon-Israel border

NEW YORK: Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, on Wednesday called on relevant parties to take necessary measures to deescalate the conflict along the border between Israel and Lebanon.

Lebanese armed group Hezbollah launched several rounds of attacks targeting northern Israel on Wednesday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on the same day that Israel is prepared for “intense action” in the north.

During a visit to Kiryat Shmona, a northeastern Israeli city heavily targeted by Hezbollah attacks from the Lebanese territory, Netanyahu stated, “One way or another, we will restore security to the north,” according to a statement from his office.

“We’re obviously very concerned about the continued and heightened tensions along the Blue Line. I think it is incumbent on all the parties involved to take advantage of the different mechanisms through which the situation can be deescalated, notably the trilateral meetings that our peacekeeping mission can organize. And just we hope that not only in terms of exchange of fire, but the rhetoric is lowered,” said Dujarric.

On Tuesday, Deputy Secretary-General of Hezbollah Sheikh Naim Qassem said his group is ready to face a comprehensive war with Israel should the latter expand its attacks against Lebanon, Lebanon’s news website Elnashra reported.

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Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated on October 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah toward Israel in solidarity with Hamas’ attacks on Israel the day before. Israel then retaliated by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon.