New York, April 9 (SANA) UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday condemned Israeli strikes on Lebanon, warning they pose a “grave risk” to a ceasefire agreement announced between the United States and Iran.
Guterres said in a statement that “the continued military activity in Lebanon poses a risk to efforts aimed at achieving a lasting and comprehensive peace in the region,” calling on all parties to halt hostilities immediately.
He also expressed deep concern over rising civilian casualties, stressing that “there is no military solution to the conflict,” and urging a return to diplomatic channels and renewed commitment to UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
Red Cross warns of attacks in populated areas
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said Wednesday that Israeli strikes caused “death and destruction” in densely populated areas, including Beirut, with heavy explosive weapons used without prior warning.
The organization said any comprehensive regional agreement must prioritize “the safety, protection and dignity of civilians in Lebanon,” adding that civilians urgently need relief after more than five weeks of fighting.
MSF: Attacks on civilians “unacceptable”
Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) said its teams treated a surge of wounded, including children, at Rafik Hariri University Hospital in Beirut.
The organization’s Emergency Coordinator Christopher Stokes said: “People are arriving with shrapnel injuries and severe bleeding. These strikes on densely populated areas are completely unacceptable.”
He called for an end to attacks on civilians and repeated forced displacement, warning such actions may amount to war crimes.
The strikes hit Beirut, the Beqaa Valley and southern Lebanon on Wednesday in what officials described as the most intense Israeli attacks since March 2. The attacks killed 254 people and injured 1,165 others, according to official statements.
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