World leaders are sounding the alarm a couple of “full-fledged” battle, calling for de-escalation after devastating Israeli air strikes in Lebanon ratcheted regional tensions amid Israel’s ongoing battle on Gaza.
The assaults, which began on Monday and continued into Tuesday, have been Israel’s fiercest towards its northern neighbour and have led to Lebanon’s highest single-day demise toll because the finish of the 1975-90 civil battle.
On Tuesday, Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Well being mentioned the Israeli strikes killed 558 individuals, together with 50 youngsters and 94 ladies. Well being Minister Firass Abiad informed a press convention in Beirut that at the least 1,835 individuals have been wounded, and 54 hospitals are treating sufferers.
Listed here are some reactions:
United Nations
Secretary-Normal Antonio Guterres mentioned he was “gravely alarmed by the escalating state of affairs alongside the Blue Line”, referring to the demarcation line dividing Lebanon from Israel and the occupied Golan Heights, in addition to “the big variety of civilian casualties”.
His spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, mentioned the UN chief additionally “expresses nice concern for the security of civilians, each in southern Lebanon and in northern Israel in addition to the UN employees there in these areas”.
UNICEF head Catherine Russell highlighted the “harmful escalation” that threatens “numerous” youngsters.
“Alarming ranges of psychological misery” have additionally been reported amongst youngsters because of displacement and from the barrage of shelling and air raids, she mentioned, calling for a direct de-escalation.
Iran
Iran, an ally of Lebanese group Hezbollah that Israel says it’s concentrating on, accused Israel of attempting to bait it right into a battle that will have “irreversible penalties”.
President Masoud Pezeshkian mentioned: “We need to reside in peace, we don’t need battle,” including, “It’s Israel that seeks to create this all-out battle.”
“We all know greater than anybody else that if a bigger battle have been to erupt within the Center East, it is not going to profit anybody all through the world,” he mentioned.
In an interview to CNN, the president mentioned: “We should not permit for Lebanon to change into one other Gaza by the hands of Israel.”
“Hezbollah can not stand alone towards a rustic that’s being defended and supported and provided by Western nations – European nations, and america of America,” he informed the broadcaster.
The Ministry of Overseas Affairs known as Israel’s strikes “insane” and mentioned they might carry “harmful penalties”.
Jordan
Overseas Minister Ayman Safadi urged for a world response to de-escalate the battle, accusing Israel of “aggression”.
“We stress the pressing want for the [UN] Safety Council to take quick motion to curb Israeli aggression”.
Egypt
The Ministry of Overseas Affairs known as on the UNSC to intervene and denounced any “violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty”.
Egypt, which is a key mediator between Israel and Hamas, has repeatedly warned towards a regional escalation, which it mentioned “threatens to pull the area right into a complete regional battle”.
Expressing “solidarity” with Lebanon, Egypt mentioned it “continues its efforts in direction of a ceasefire in Gaza”.
Qatar
The Ministry of Overseas Affairs condemned Israel’s aggression “within the strongest phrases”.
“[The] continued escalation is primarily because of the absence of any deterrent to Israel’s actions, its continued repeated violations of worldwide legislation, and its continued impunity,” it mentioned in a press release.
“This actuality exacerbates crises, places the area getting ready to the abyss, and exposes it to extra tensions that may have a profound affect regionally and internationally,” it added.
Saudi Arabia
The Ministry of Overseas Affairs mentioned it was following the developments in Lebanon with “nice concern” and urged “all events to train the utmost restraint”.
It emphasised the “significance of respecting Lebanon’s sovereignty” whereas calling on the worldwide group to play a task in de-escalating the area.
United Arab Emirates
The Gulf nation expressed “deep concern” and reiterated its stance towards “violence, escalation, uncalculated actions and reactions that disregard legal guidelines governing state relations and sovereignty”, state media reported.
United States
The US, which has despatched Israel billions of {dollars} in weapons because the Gaza battle broke out whereas additionally pushing a strained Israel-Hezbollah mediation drive, nonetheless held out hope that two events may step again from the brink of battle.
“My staff is in fixed contact with their counterparts, and we’re working to de-escalate in a means that enables individuals to return dwelling safely,” mentioned President Joe Biden, who met UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the White Home.
Whereas the Pentagon mentioned the US is sending further troops to the Center East in response to developments in Lebanon, spokesman Patrick Ryder didn’t specify the energy of further forces being deployed or their particular process.
The US has about 40,000 troopers within the area.
“In mild of elevated pressure within the Center East and out of an abundance of warning, we’re sending a small variety of further US navy personnel ahead to enhance our forces which are already within the area. However for operational safety causes, I’m not going to touch upon or present specifics,” Ryder mentioned.
Group of Seven
The G7 known as for a “a cease to the present damaging cycle” that would catapult the “total Center East right into a broader regional battle with unimaginable penalties”.
“Actions and counter-reactions danger magnifying this harmful spiral of violence,” mentioned a press release by the G7, made up of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US.
United Kingdom
Overseas Secretary David Lammy mentioned he was “deeply alarmed” by the continuing air raids in Lebanon and Israel.
“Additional escalation dangers much more devastating penalties. I repeat my name for a direct ceasefire on each side,” he posted on social media platform X.
European Union
Overseas coverage chief Josep Borrell warned “we’re nearly in a full-fledged battle” and known as for full efforts at de-escalation throughout the UN Normal Meeting in New York.
Pointing to the growing variety of civilian casualties and the depth of Israel’s strikes, he mentioned, “If this isn’t a battle state of affairs, I don’t know what you’d name it.”
“Right here in New York is the second to try this. All people has to place all their capability to cease this path to battle,” he added.
Greece
The nation that was elected as a member of the UNSC for 2025-26 earlier this yr mentioned the escalation confirmed a collective worldwide failure.
“We have now not prevented the spillover, and the extra dispersed the battle turns into, the extra the state of affairs turns into extra sophisticated to be solved,” Overseas Minister George Gerapetritis informed the Reuters information company.
“Lebanon may simply be a zone of large hostility, and that is one thing that we can not cope with. It’s a transparent minefield.”
France
France mentioned strikes on each side of the border ought to “instantly finish” and known as for an emergency UNSC assembly to handle the battle.
“I’m pondering of the Lebanese individuals as Israeli strikes have simply killed tons of of civilians, together with dozens of kids,” mentioned Overseas Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. “These strikes carried out on each side of the Blue Line, and within the area extra broadly, should instantly finish.”
Belgium
Deputy Prime Minister Petra de Sutter mentioned she was “shocked” by the casualty toll from Israel’s assaults on Lebanon.
“492 lives misplaced in Lebanon. +1600 injured. Tens of 1000s have been ordered to flee their houses. In 1 day,” she wrote on X.
“This horrendous assault by Israel received’t result in any answer for the area. Solely diplomacy will carry residents dwelling safely. Solely a ceasefire will finish the struggling,” she added.
China
Overseas Minister Wang Yi mentioned China firmly backs Lebanon in safeguarding its sovereignty and strongly condemned Israel’s assaults.
“We pay shut consideration to developments within the area, particularly the latest explosion of communications tools in Lebanon, and firmly oppose indiscriminate assaults towards civilians,” Wang informed his Lebanese counterpart, Abdallah Bou Habib, in line with the Ministry of Overseas Affairs.
Wang mentioned China would stand on the “facet of justice and on the facet of Arab brothers, together with Lebanon”, in line with the assertion.
Russia
The Kremlin mentioned the escalation of the battle between Israel and Hezbollah risked destabilising the area.
“It’s, after all, an occasion that’s doubtlessly very harmful,” risking enlargement of the zone of the battle and “full destabilisation of the area”, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov informed journalists.
Democracy for the Arab World Now
The US-based nonprofit mentioned Israel’s actions present “it needs a broad regional battle, not simply within the occupied Palestinian territory, but in addition in Lebanon and Iran”.
“The one technique to cease its untethered belligerence is to cease rewarding it with increasingly American weapons,” mentioned Raed Jarrar, DAWN’s advocacy director.
“With out halting Israel’s assaults within the area, there shall be no path to peace, and the results will reverberate far past Lebanon’s borders.”
Save the Kids
The UK-based group highlighted the battle’s impact on youngsters as they’re compelled to flee their cities and villages with their households.
“We’re seeing strikes in dozens of cities, households desperately attempting to flee with no matter they will carry, youngsters crying, terrified by the sound of drones and fighter jets,” mentioned nation director Jennifer Moorehead, noting that some 1.5 million youngsters are out of college because of the battle.
