Pakistan has condemned Israel’s recent military aggression against Lebanon, calling Israel out for its grave violation of international law. The strikes, which have led to the massacre of hundreds of civilians, drew harsh criticism, with Pakistan reaffirming its support for Lebanon’s sovereignty. Islamabad urged the international community to hold Israel accountable for its actions, including its repeated violations of the UN Charter.
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Lebanese health authorities report that Israeli airstrikes have claimed the lives of over 610 individuals, including 50 children and 94 women, and injured more than 2,000. The strikes have displaced nearly 200,000 people in Lebanon, heightening fears of a full-scale conflict akin to the ongoing Gaza war. International concerns have grown as tensions between Israel and Hezbollah escalate, with over 41,000 people killed in Gaza since the onset of Israel’s military operations.
International Calls for De-escalation
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a stern warning during a Security Council meeting, emphasising that Lebanon cannot afford to descend into another Gaza-like conflict. Guterres called for an immediate halt to hostilities, urging adherence to UN Resolutions 1559 and 1701 to safeguard civilians and prevent further destruction of civilian infrastructure. “It would surely be an all-out catastrophe,” Guterres warned, reiterating the need for diplomacy and the protection of Lebanese sovereignty.
The United Nations has urged both Israel and Hezbollah to respect international humanitarian law, with several nations, including the US and the European Union, proposing a 21-day ceasefire to facilitate negotiations. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not responded to the ceasefire proposal, instructing the Israeli Defense Forces to continue operations with full force. This reluctance to engage in dialogue has raised alarms about the potential for a broader regional war, given Hezbollah’s ties to Iran.
Regional Reactions and Diplomatic Efforts
The international community continues to sound the alarm. Iran has accused Israel of provoking a conflict with “irreversible consequences,” warning that an escalation would not benefit anyone in the Middle East. Similarly, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned Israel’s actions, calling for coercive measures to be taken. He likened Netanyahu to Hitler, stating, “Netanyahu and his murderous network must be stopped by an alliance of humanity.”
Countries like Egypt and Jordan have echoed these concerns, urging the UN Security Council to take immediate action to halt Israeli aggression. Egypt, a key mediator in the Israel-Hamas conflict, has warned that the continued escalation could drag the entire region into a comprehensive war. Meanwhile, Qatar condemned Israel’s actions as a direct result of the international community’s failure to hold the state accountable, further exacerbating tensions.
Global Responses and Calls for Peace
The United States has taken steps to manage the conflict by deploying additional troops to the Middle East. President Joe Biden, while providing Israel with billions of dollars in military aid since the start of the Gaza war, has called for de-escalation, stating that diplomatic efforts must ensure the safe return of displaced communities. Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also expressed concern over the killings of women and children in Lebanon, urging both Israel and Hezbollah to halt the violence immediately.
The situation in Lebanon, worsened by the continued strikes and international impasse, remains precarious. As the conflict deepens, global leaders are increasingly anxious about the potential fallout and the looming threat of a larger regional war.