UN warns of apocalyptic consequences if Israel drags Lebanon into war

The United Nations humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths warns of “apocalyptic” consequences if Israel’s military campaign in the Gaza Strip spills into Lebanon.

Griffiths made the warning in Geneva on Wednesday as escalating strikes between Lebanon’s resistance movement Hezbollah and Israel sparked fears of another conflict in the region.

“We are worried about the potential for further tragedy and deaths,” he said. “It’s potentially apocalyptic.”

A war involving Lebanon, Griffiths said, “will draw in Syria… it will draw in others. It’s very alarming.”

And “it will of course have an impact on Gaza; of course it will have an impact on the West Bank.”

He said Israel’s bloodiest-ever military campaign in the Gaza Strip, which is in its eighth month now, “has taught us a new level of tragedy and cruelty.”

The regime’s military forces have so far killed more than 37,700 Palestinians in Gaza.

“But we are all worried that it may only be the beginning,” said Griffiths.

On Monday, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the current phase of war with the Hamas resistance movement is winding down, setting the stage for the military to send more forces to its northern border. 

Netanyahu made the threat as the regime’s forces remain mired in the conflict the regime started on October 7, 2023.

Region cannot afford another war: EU’s Borrel

European Union foreign policy Chief Josep Borell also raised the alarm about a possible conflict between Israel and Lebanon, calling for “immediate de-escalation” of tensions along the border.

Borell said he discussed the matter with Lebanese Foreign Minister Bou Habib on Wednesday.

He wrote on X that they “discussed how to ensure immediate de-escalation across the Blue Line & how to reinforce efforts towards a political solution acceptable to all.”

“Lebanon, Israel and the region cannot afford another war,” he said. “The EU would be affected too.”