During a press conference in New York on Monday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his concerns about the escalating instability in the Middle East, stating that it may soon spiral out of control. Guterres specifically addressed the crisis triggered by the surprise attack launched by Hamas militants on Israel on October 7.
This attack resulted in the death of approximately 1,200 people and the capture of over 200 hostages. In response, Israel imposed a blockade, conducted bombings, and launched a ground assault on Gaza, resulting in the deaths of nearly 24,000 people, as reported by local health officials.
The civilian casualties in Gaza have led to widespread international condemnation of Israel’s actions and have drawn the involvement of Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group, and Yemen’s Houthis in the conflict. Guterres highlighted the high tensions in the Red Sea and beyond, expressing his concern that they may become uncontrollable.
He emphasized the risk of a broader escalation between Israel and Lebanon, which could have a profound impact on regional stability. While condemning Hamas’ actions, Guterres also criticized Israel’s operation, describing it as collective punishment of the Palestinian people and highlighting the unprecedented level of civilian casualties, particularly among women and children.
The recent pledge by the Houthis to continue targeting Israeli- and US-linked ships in the Red Sea until the siege on Gaza is lifted, along with Iran’s deployment of a warship to the Red Sea, has further heightened tensions in the region.
Last Thursday and Friday, Houthi targets in Yemen were subjected to approximately 70 airstrikes by warplanes from the US and UK. According to John Kirby, the spokesperson for US National Security, these strikes have been yielding positive outcomes.
However, a report from the New York Times contradicts this claim, asserting that about three-quarters of Houthi military assets remain undamaged.
Moscow has strongly criticized these attacks, denouncing them as “illegal” and highlighting their violation of the UN Charter.
The UN secretary-general has also expressed concerns about the ongoing conflict in Gaza, emphasizing that the longer it persists, the higher the likelihood of escalation and misjudgment.
