Middle East on the brink of all-out conflict: UN

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has emphasized the need for utmost restraint, cautioning that the entire Middle East is on the verge of a full-scale war following Iran’s recent drone and missile strike on Israel. This attack was carried out in response to an airstrike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria, resulting in the deaths of seven Iranian military personnel, including two generals. Iran accused West Jerusalem of an extraterritorial assassination, although Israel neither confirmed nor denied its involvement. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, however, stated that Israel targets its adversaries throughout the Middle East, shortly after the consulate strike on April 1.

Guterres has issued a grave warning about the potential for a devastating conflict in the entire region as a result of these events. He stressed the urgent need to defuse tensions and deescalate the situation, urging all parties involved to exercise maximum restraint. While he strongly condemned the large-scale attack on Israel, he also reiterated his condemnation of the bombing of Tehran’s consular buildings in Damascus earlier this month, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

Furthermore, Guterres called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, where local health officials report that over 33,000 people have been killed in Israeli strikes over the past six months. West Jerusalem declared war on the Gaza-based militant group Hamas after it carried out a surprise raid on Israeli soil, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,100 people and the capture of approximately 250 hostages. The UN has previously warned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, including the insufficient flow of humanitarian aid, which has led to starvation among the displaced civilian population in the enclave.

The UN chief also demanded the unconditional release of all hostages, unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid, and the restoration of safe navigation in the Red Sea, which is currently hindered by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. These rebels have been targeting shipping in the region in solidarity with their cause.