Global leaders are raising urgent concerns over the potential for a “full-fledged” war in the Middle East, calling for de-escalation after Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon escalated tensions in a region already destabilised by Israel’s ongoing conflict with Gaza.
The attacks, which began on Monday and continued into Tuesday, mark the fiercest assault by Israel on its northern neighbour in years and have led to Lebanon’s deadliest day since its civil war ended in 1990.
Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health confirmed on Tuesday that 558 people had been killed in the strikes, including 50 children and 94 women, with over 1,800 people injured. Hospitals across Lebanon are reportedly overwhelmed with the wounded, while the civilian toll continues to climb amid relentless aerial bombardment.
The intensifying violence has prompted a global outcry, with international bodies and governments urging all sides to step back from the brink. The United Nations expressed its alarm over the rising civilian casualties and warned that the region is teetering on the edge of a larger conflict that could engulf multiple countries. There are calls for independent investigations into the deaths, and for adherence to international humanitarian law, which mandates the protection of civilians during armed conflict.
The situation has drawn stark reactions from various world powers. Iran, a key ally of Hezbollah, has accused Israel of attempting to provoke a wider conflict in the Middle East. Tehran, long suspected by Israel of backing Hezbollah militarily, insists that it seeks peace in the region but warned that further escalation could have severe and irreversible consequences.
Iran’s leadership expressed concern that Lebanon is being dragged into a conflict resembling the one raging in Gaza and suggested that any broader war in the Middle East would have devastating global repercussions.
Iran’s accusations have been met with varying responses from the international community, with some countries emphasising the need for restraint. Jordan and Egypt, both of which maintain fragile peace agreements with Israel, have called on the UN Security Council (UNSC) to intervene. Jordanian officials labelled Israel's actions as aggressive, while Egypt, traditionally a key mediator in Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, warned that unchecked escalation could lead to a wider regional war.
Turkey has also been vocal in its condemnation, accusing Israel of using deceptive tactics to justify its actions. Turkish officials stressed the need for international coercive measures against Israel and drew historical parallels, likening the current situation to the global alliance that confronted Nazi Germany in the Second World War.
The Gulf states have joined the chorus of alarm. Qatar strongly condemned Israel’s actions, blaming the ongoing escalation on the lack of accountability for Israel’s repeated violations of international law. Similarly, Saudi Arabia, though traditionally more measured in its criticism of Israel, expressed deep concern over the situation and called for restraint. The United Arab Emirates, which recently established diplomatic ties with Israel, expressed its opposition to any actions that disregard international norms, calling for a resolution through diplomacy rather than violence.
Western powers have taken a more nuanced approach, balancing their support for Israel’s security with growing concerns over civilian casualties in Lebanon. The United States, a staunch ally of Israel, has provided billions of dollars in military aid since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict but is also working to de-escalate the situation in Lebanon.
President Joe Biden’s administration has been pushing for renewed mediation efforts between Israel and Hezbollah, although tensions remain high. Meanwhile, additional US military personnel have been deployed to the region, though officials have refrained from providing specifics on the scope of the mission.
Canada and European countries, including France, the UK, and members of the European Union, have also expressed their concerns. French officials condemned the civilian toll on both sides of the Lebanon-Israel border, while Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called for an immediate ceasefire to protect civilian lives. The UK and the G7 have similarly warned that the escalating violence could spill over into a broader regional conflict if steps are not taken to curb the cycle of violence.
Regional analysts have pointed to the increasing risk of spillover as Hezbollah, the powerful Lebanese militant group, becomes more deeply embroiled in the conflict. The strikes against Hezbollah targets are seen as part of Israel’s broader strategy in its war against Gaza. While Hezbollah has launched retaliatory attacks, both sides have thus far refrained from fully engaging in a larger conflict, though the intensity of Israel’s latest strikes has raised fears that this may change.
The United Nations and aid organisations have highlighted the growing humanitarian crisis in Lebanon. Displacement is rising, with families fleeing the conflict zones and overcrowded hospitals struggling to cope with the sheer volume of casualties. Children, in particular, are bearing the brunt of the conflict, with reports of widespread psychological trauma as a result of the bombings and displacement.
Human rights organisations, including the UN’s humanitarian bodies, have condemned the impact on civilians and called for immediate measures to protect vulnerable populations. The conflict has severely disrupted daily life in Lebanon, with over a million children out of school and entire towns and villages suffering under constant airstrikes.
As the situation in Lebanon continues to deteriorate, the prospect of a wider Middle Eastern war is looming, with the potential for devastating consequences across the region. Diplomatic efforts are now focused on preventing further escalation, but the path to peace remains uncertain as both sides dig in, and the civilian toll rises with each passing day.