Guterres warns Israel-Lebanon war would be 'disaster'
United Nations secretary-general António Guterres on Wednesday warned that a "full-fledged confrontation" between Israel and Lebanon would be a "total disaster" amid fears of a wider war.
Addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos, Guterres reiterated his call for an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire" in Gaza.
Fighting has ravaged Gaza since Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attacks on Israel that resulted in the death of about 1,140 people, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.
At least 24,448 Palestinians, more than 70 per cent of them women, young children and adolescents, have been killed in Israeli bombardments and ground assaults, according to the Gaza health ministry's latest figures.
Guterres said a ceasefire would prevent having the whole region up in flames.
"I repeat my call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and the process that leads to sustained peace for Israelis and Palestinians based on the two-state solution.
“That is the only way to end this suffering and prevent the spillover that could send the entire region up in flames.
He further warned that a 'full-fledged confrontation' between Israel and Lebanon would be a 'total disaster' amid fears of a wider war.
"I am personally shocked by the systematic undermining of principles and standards we use to take for countries," he said.
"I am outraged that so many countries and companies are pursuing their own narrow in this without any consideration of our common goals.
“I am certain that unless we take action, we can expect much worse. Let’s be clear, rebuilding trust is not a sloagan or a PR campaign. It is essential for building a safer, stable and prosperous world.”
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