UN warns escalation of Israel-Hezbollah violence at risk of major conflict | Israel-Palestine Conflicts News

At the UNSC, the UN rights chief says Israel’s attack on Hezbollah missions violated international law and could constitute a war crime.

The United Nations’ top official told the Security Council that further violence between Israel and Iran-allied groups, Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon risks escalating into a more devastating war.

“We risk seeing a conflagration that could undo the damage and suffering that has existed so far,” UN chief Rosemary DiCarlo told the 15-member council on Friday, which convened to discuss Hezbollah’s attacks this week.

“It is not too late to avoid such foolishness. There is still a place for diplomacy,” he said. “I strongly urge the member states that have influence in the groups to use it now.”

As its war in Gaza approaches one year old, Israel killed at least 14 people and wounded 66 in an airstrike in the Lebanese capital Beirut on Friday.

The Israeli military said a senior Hezbollah commander and other senior figures in the Lebanese organization were among the dead, and vowed to launch a new military campaign until they secure the area around the Lebanese border.

Hezbollah did not confirm the death of any commanders on Friday.

The Israeli airstrikes followed two days of attacks in which Hezbollah pagers and walkie-talkies exploded, killing 37 people and injuring thousands. The attack is believed to have been carried out by Israel, which has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement.

On Friday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk told the Security Council that the attack on Hezbollah’s communications equipment violated international law and may constitute a war crime.

Turk said it is “difficult to imagine” how an attack on Hezbollah’s communications equipment “could comply with the important principles of separation, moderation, and security measures in the event of an attack, under international humanitarian law”.

He added that he was “shocked” by the attack using social media.

“This has revealed widespread fear, panic and panic among the people of Lebanon, who are already suffering from a tense situation since October 2023 and are collapsing under a long-term economic crisis. This will not be the new normal,” he said.

Turk called for an independent, comprehensive and confidential investigation and that those who ordered and carried out the attack must be held accountable.

US Deputy Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood told the council that the US expects all parties to comply with international humanitarian law and take all appropriate measures to reduce human casualties, especially in densely populated areas.

“It is important that even if the facts emerge about the recent events – in which I emphasize, the United States did not play a role – all parties avoid any actions that could involve the region in a destructive war.”

Tens of thousands of people have been forced from their homes on both sides of Israel’s border with Lebanon since Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel in October in support of Gaza, where Israel is waging a devastating war that has killed more than 41,000 Palestinians.

Israel, which last fought a heavy war with Hezbollah 18 years ago, has said it will use force if necessary to ensure its citizens return to their homes in northern Israel.