UN chief: Middle East conflict must not spread

2023-10-12 07:22:54, Kosova & Bota CNA

UN chief: Middle East conflict must not spread

Secretary General of the UN, Antonio Guterres

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday called on parties in the Middle East to prevent a spillover of the conflict, while in northern Israel people rushed to find shelter from strikes coming from southern Lebanon.

"I am concerned by the recent exchange of fire along the Blue Line and the attacks that were reported from southern Lebanon," Mr Guterres told reporters at UN headquarters. The Blue Line is the dividing line between Israel and Lebanon, which is patrolled by UN peacekeepers.

"I call on all parties - and those who have influence on these parties - to avoid further escalation and extension," he said.

The Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah controls southern Lebanon. There is a fear that this group will become part of the conflict, in support of Hamas. In 2006, Israel and Hezbollah fought a 33-day war in Lebanon.

The UN secretary general said he is in constant contact with leaders in the region to prevent a spread of the conflict.

Spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters that Mr. Guterres had made several phone calls since Hamas began brutal attacks on Israeli civilians and soldiers on Saturday, killing more than 1,000 Israelis and several foreigners.

He has spoken with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, as well as the acting prime minister in Lebanon, the king of Jordan, the president of Turkey, the prime minister of Qatar and the foreign minister of Iran. Mr. Dujarric said that the head of the UN is expected to have a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel's military is expected to soon launch a wide-ranging ground assault on the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and has massed military forces along the border. Israel has imposed a complete siege on this territory, in response to Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel, and has carried out numerous airstrikes, killing hundreds of Palestinians.

Over 2.2 million Palestinians live in Gaza. UN officials have called for humanitarian corridors to send vital supplies to civilians living there.

"We need quick and unhindered humanitarian access," said Mr. Guterres, adding that "there is no time to lose."

He thanked Egypt for its willingness to facilitate humanitarian access to Gaza through the Rafah border crossing, and to make El Arish airport available for aid flights. Israel bombed the border crossing on Tuesday and it remained closed on Wednesday. It is not clear whether it can be used by humanitarian organizations.

Also, the UN agency that helps Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, appealed for $104 million in aid funds for the next three months.

UNRWA says the funds are needed for food, immediate shelter, health care and protection for half a million Palestinians in its shelters in Gaza and beyond.

The agency, which has 13,000 employees in Gaza, most of them Palestinians, says 11 members of its staff and 30 students have been killed since Saturday./ VOA