Israel, Hezbollah Heading For 'All-Out' War? World Leaders Sound Alarm After Nearly 600 Killed

New York: World leaders during the ongoing UN General Assembly in New York, expressed deep concern and alarm by the prospect of a broader conflict after Lebanon experienced its deadliest day in two decades due to Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah positions on Tuesday

After nearly a year of cross-border hostilities since the war in Gaza began with Hamas's assault, Israeli airstrikes by IDF on Monday claimed the lives of 564 people in Lebanon, including 50 children, as per the Lebanese health ministry.

This death toll has been the highest since the 2006 war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah and has sparked fears of a coming regional war in the Middle East. 

• UN Secretary-General António Guterres

“Lebanon is on the edge,” warned UN Secretary-General António Guterres during his address at the General Assembly in New York.

"Gaza is an ongoing nightmare that threatens to pull the entire region into conflict," he added further, and called for an immediate ceasefire in the Palestinian territories. "Lebanon is a case in point" said Guterres. 

"Guterres is gravely alarmed by the escalating situation and the large number of civilian casualties, including children and women,"  as per spokesperson of UN Chief, Stéphane Dujarric.

• UN Refugee Agency Spokesperson

"Tens of thousands of people were displaced yesterday and overnight, and that number continues to rise," said UN refugee agency spokesperson Matthew Saltmarsh in Geneva.

• US Alarms of Ground Invasion Targeting Hezbollah

The United States who is Israel's closest ally, cautioned against any Israeli ground invasion targeting Hezbollah.  
"A ground invasion of Lebanon would not, in our view, help de-escalate tensions or prevent further violence," a senior US official stated on Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity.  

"We are nearing a full-blown war," said Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief, on Monday.

• China Expresses Concerns 

China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, emphasized Beijing’s concern over developments in the region, particularly the recent destruction of communication infrastructure in Lebanon, and firmly condemned attacks on civilians.

On Tuesday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that "Beijing was deeply shocked by the military actions that have caused a large number of casualties."

• Jordan’s King Abdullah II

Jordan’s King Abdullah II called on the international community to intervene to halt the danger of Israeli escalation in Lebanon and "protect innocent civilians before the region is drawn into a full-scale war."

In a phone call with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, King Abdullah stated that "halting the escalation in the region must begin with an immediate cessation of the war on Gaza," according to statement by King's Palace.

• 'Brings the Region to the Brink of…': Qatar

Qatar has been key mediator in Gaza ceasefire negotiations. Doha strongly condemned Israeli aggression on Lebanon in a statement on Tuesday, and warned that, "The escalation brings the region to the brink of catastrophe and heightens the risk of further tensions."

• 'Potentially Very Dangerous': Russia

Meanwhile, Russia labeled the strikes 'potentially very dangerous,' with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warning that they could expand the conflict and lead to complete destabilization of the region.