UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged the Security Council on Wednesday "to work in lock-step" to end the escalating violence between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants across the Blue Line in Southern Lebanon.
"Hell is breaking loose in Lebanon" the UN chief warned, noting that the exchanges of fire along the UN-patrolled line of separation "have expanded in scope, depth and intensity."
Monday saw Lebanon's bloodiest day in a generation, as Israel continues to bombard largely Hezbollah-controlled territory, doubling down on the devastating electronic device attacks which killed hundreds last week.
With an appeal for both sides to respect Lebanese sovereignty, Mr. Guterres said that the State "must have full control of its weapons" throughout the country.
"We support all efforts to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces", he added.
The UN chief said the daily violations across the Blue Line were in violation of key Council resolutions 1559 and 1701
Civilians must be allowed to return home
With nearly 200,000 Lebanese now internally displaced, along with more than 60,000 northern Israelis, many lives have been lost since Hezbollah first began firing rockets over the line of separation in support of Hamas in Gaza, he added.
The communities on both sides "must be able to return to their homes and live in safety and security, without fear", the Secretary-General said.
He applauded all diplomatic efforts taken so far towards escalation and pledged the UN's continuing support for a ceasefire and increase in humanitarian relief for stricken Lebanese civilians.
"Despite the dangerous conditions, our peacekeepers remain in position", he said, referring to the UN Interim Force, UNIFIL, although most civilian personnel have temporarily relocated.
"I implore the Council to work in lock-step to help put out this fire", the UN chief told ambassadors.
"Civilians must be protected. Civilian infrastructure most not be targeted…To all sides, let us say in one clear voice: stop the killing and destruction. Tone down the rhetoric and threats. Step back from the brink."
He said an all-out war must be avoided at all costs. "It would surely be an all-out catastrophe."
