The Middle East is teetering on the edge of a full-blown war after an Israeli airstrike in Beirut claimed the life of a senior Hezbollah commander, Ibrahim Qubaisi. This incident has sparked a surge in cross-border rocket attacks, fueling fears of a wider conflict.
Lebanon’s Health Minister, Firass Abiad, reported a grim toll of 569 deaths, including 50 children, and 1,835 wounded since Monday, according to Reuters. The escalating situation has prompted the UN Security Council to schedule a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the crisis.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a stark warning, stating, “Lebanon is at the brink. The people of Lebanon – the people of Israel – and the people of the world – cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza.”
President Joe Biden, addressing the UN General Assembly, called for calm and emphasized the need for a diplomatic solution. He stated, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest. Even if a situation has escalated, a diplomatic solution is still possible.”
However, Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib expressed disappointment with Biden’s address, deeming it “not strong, not promising.” He asserted that the U.S., as Israel’s longtime ally and arms supplier, is the only nation capable of significantly influencing the situation in the Middle East and with regard to Lebanon.
In Beirut, displaced residents are seeking refuge in schools and other buildings as volunteers provide essential supplies. An Israeli strike also hit the seaside town of Jiyyeh, 75 km north of the border with Israel, early on Wednesday.
The recent airstrike follows a series of attacks on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, resulting in hundreds of casualties and escalating hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. The U.S. had previously urged Israel to avoid escalating the conflict, highlighting the potential risks of a full-scale land war.
The situation in Lebanon has been tense, marked by a series of explosions targeting Hezbollah operatives. Iran’s President has accused Israel of escalating the conflict and destabilizing the region.
