United Nations, Sep 24
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is gravely alarmed by the escalating situation along the Blue Line -- a buffer zone separating Israel and Lebanon -- and the large number of civilian casualties, including children and women, being reported by the Lebanese authorities, his spokesman said.
The UN chief is also deeply alarmed by the thousands of displaced persons, amid the most intense Israeli bombing campaign since last October, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement, news agency reported.
Noting that the Secretary-General is also gravely alarmed by the continued strikes by Hezbollah into Israel, the statement said Guterres expressed grave concern for the safety of civilians on both sides of the Blue Line, including UN personnel, and strongly condemns the loss of lives.
Guterres reiterates the urgent need for immediate de-escalation and that all efforts be devoted to a diplomatic solution, and his call for all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and ensure they are not put in harm's way, the statement said.