Middle East fires threaten to become an inferno, warns UN chief

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a stark warning on Wednesday regarding the escalating violence in the Middle East, highlighting the severe deterioration of the situation in Lebanon.

“The raging fires in the Middle East are fast becoming an inferno,” Guterres told a U.N. Security Council session, noting that just a week prior, he had briefed the council on the alarming circumstances in Lebanon. “Since then, things have gone from bad to much, much worse,” he added.

Guterres reiterated his previous comments, emphasizing that “the Blue Line has seen tensions for years. But since October, exchanges of fire have expanded in scope, depth, and intensity.” He reported that Israeli forces have conducted relentless airstrikes across Lebanon, including in Beirut.

Recalling a temporary cease-fire proposed by the U.S. and France to facilitate negotiations, Guterres stated that “Israel refused that proposal and stepped up its strikes, including bombing the Hezbollah headquarters where its leader was killed.”

Urgent need tp avoid to all-out war

He expressed concern over the rising civilian toll and increasing instability, noting that since last October, over 1,700 people have been killed in Lebanon, including more than 100 children and 194 women, with over 346,000 displaced from their homes.

Guterres stressed the urgent need to “avoid an all-out war in Lebanon, which would have profound and devastating consequences.”

He condemned the ongoing cycle of violence, asserting, “It is high time to stop the sickening cycle of escalation that is leading the people of the Middle East straight over the cliff.”

In a sharp condemnation of Iran’s involvement, Guterres noted, “Israel has conducted in Gaza the most deadly and destructive military campaign in my years as secretary-general.”

He urged an immediate cease-fire, stating, “This deadly cycle of tit-for-tat violence must stop,” emphasizing that time is running out to prevent further chaos in the region.

Israel declares UN chief ‘persona non grata’

In a related development, Israel declared Guterres “persona non grata,” prohibiting his entry into the country after he called for urgent de-escalation in the Middle East.

Israeli officials criticized Guterres for not mentioning Iran by name in his statements regarding a recent missile attack and for not directly condemning Tehran’s actions.

On Tuesday, Iran launched approximately 180 missiles at Israel in retaliation for the recent assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, and an Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander.

Israel vowed to respond at a time of its choosing, labeling the situation “a severe, dangerous escalation.”

Regional tensions have intensified due to Israel’s nearly year-long offensive on the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in over 41,600 deaths, primarily among women and children, following a Hamas attack last October.

The conflict has also spilled over into Lebanon, with Israeli strikes killing more than 1,000 people and injuring nearly 3,000 since Sept. 23.