United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed grave alarm on Monday over the escalating violence along the Blue Line, with a significant rise in civilian casualties, including children and women, reported by Lebanese authorities.

The latest Israeli bombing campaign is described as the most intense since last October, displacing thousands of people.

In his statement, Guterres emphasized his concern for the safety of civilians on both sides of the Blue Line, including UN personnel, and strongly condemned the loss of lives. He highlighted the efforts of the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL) and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in working to de-escalate tensions, reiterating the urgent need for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

The Secretary-General called for all parties to prioritize the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and to ensure that UN personnel and assets are safeguarded.

Guterres urged the involved parties to recommit to the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) and to immediately return to a cessation of hostilities to restore stability in the region. (ILKHA)