“The international community must work together to prevent any actions that could make the conflict much bigger and wider very quickly,” Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for political affairs said, warning of skyrocketing tensions in the wake of the killing of a top Hamas leader in Tehran earlier in the day,
UN News reports.
The killing came against the backdrop of Israeli strikes against southern Beirut, following an apparent strike in a village in the Israeli-occupied Golan, and intense exchanges across the Blue Line, which separates Israeli and Lebanese armed forces.
The incidents claimed several lives, including those of children.
“The various attacks over the past few days represent a serious and dangerous escalation,” she continued, highlighting the ongoing war in Gaza, which erupted following the brutal 7 October attack by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in southern Israel.
Over 1,200 Israelis were killed and over 200 were taken hostage. Dozens among them still remain in captivity.
In the Gaza Strip, more than 38,000 Palestinians are reported to have been killed as a result of Israel’s military operation, a further 88,000 injured and about 90 per cent of the population displaced – many several times.
Ms. DiCarlo reiterated UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ call for “maximum restraint by all”, stressing that “restraint alone is insufficient at this extremely sensitive time.”
“Diplomatic efforts to change the trajectory and seek a path toward regional peace and stability are urgently needed,” she underscored.
“Communication by means of missiles, armed drones and other deadly attacks must end.”
She appealed to the international community to work together to prevent “any actions that could make the conflict much bigger and wider very quickly”.
“We need swift and effective diplomatic action for regional de-escalation. This Council plays a crucial role in this regard. The time is now,” she concluded.
Amir Saeid Iravani, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Iran to the UN, said that his country called for the emergency Council meeting “to address a matter of grave importance of urgency.”
He denounced the “cowardly assassination…by Israel” of Ismail Haniyeh, the top Hamas political official, who was on an official visit to Iran, upon invitation of the Government, to attend the inauguration of the new Iranian President.
“This act of terror is another manifestation of Israel’s decades-long pattern of terrorism and sabotage targeting Palestinians and other supporters of the Palestinian cause across the region and beyond,” he said.
In addition to its terrorist objective, Israel was also pursuing political goals, aiming to disrupt the first day of the new Government of Iran that has prioritized peace and stability in the region, he alleged.
He strongly condemned the “horrible act” as the most serious violation of international law and the UN Charter, urging “immediate and effective action” by the Security Council.
