Lebanon-based officials are raising the alarm about a possible escalation of war as fighting between Hezbollah and Israel intensifies.
Two United Nations officials based in Lebanon have warned that there is a “very real” threat of miscalculation that could lead to a wider war as cross-border fighting between Hezbollah and Israel intensifies.
Saturday's warning came from the UN special coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, and the head of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, Aroldo Lazaro.
In a statement, they said they were “deeply concerned” by recent clashes along Lebanon's southern border.
“The danger that a miscalculation will lead to a sudden, broader conflict is very real,” the two officials said.
They urged “all actors to cease fire and commit to working towards a political and diplomatic solution.”
Joint Declaration of @JeanineHennis and @aroldo_lazaro:
As communities in Lebanon and around the world celebrate Eid Al-Adha, the United Nations family reiterates its call on all actors along the Blue Line to lay down their arms and commit to a path of peace.
— UNIFIL (@UNIFIL_) June 15, 2024
Earlier this week, Hezbollah launched the largest barrage of rockets and drones yet against Israel since the war in Gaza began on October 7. This came as Israel increased its attacks on Hezbollah commanders and infrastructure in southern Lebanon.
Increase in fighting
For eight months, Hezbollah has vowed to continue attacks in northern Israel to draw Israeli forces away from the war in Gaza. Although cross-border attacks have waxed and waned at different times, they have remained persistent.
But the most recent surge in fighting has raised concerns that the violence could spill over. Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised to restore security along the border “one way or another.”
Far-right ministers in his cabinet have gone further, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir calling for open war and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich calling for a ground invasion.
On Tuesday, an attack on the southern Lebanese village of Jouaiya killed field commander Taleb Abdallah, considered the highest-ranking member of Hezbollah to be killed during eight months of hostilities.
The next day, senior Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine said the group would “increase the intensity, strength, quantity and quality of our attacks.”
The surge continued into Saturday, with Hezbollah saying it targeted the Meron base in northern Israel with “guided missiles” and sent “attack drones” toward another Israeli base.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military said its “plane attacked a Hezbollah terrorist” in the Aitaroun area of southern Lebanon. On the other hand, he also said that artillery was fired “to eliminate a threat.”
The fighting comes as the United States and France have been working toward a negotiated settlement. On Friday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel would not join a trilateral framework proposed by France.
