The United States, an ally of Israel, hopes that all parties respect international humanitarian law and take all reasonable measures to minimize harm to civilians, particularly in densely populated areas, U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the U.N. Robert Wood told the Security Council at Friday’s meeting.
“It is imperative that, even as the facts emerge about the latest incidents – in which, I repeat, The United States played no role– all parties must refrain from any action that could plunge the region into a devastating war,” Wood said.
A senior United Nations official has urged all countries with influence over Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah to “seize it now” to prevent an escalation of violence in the Middle East which, he warned, could eclipse the devastation seen so far.
UN political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo briefed the Security Council on attacks in which Hezbollah pagers and walkie-talkies exploded, killing 37 people and wounding thousands. The attacks were reportedly carried out by Israel, which has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement.
“We are running the risk of witnessing a conflagration that could eclipse even the devastation and suffering “We have witnessed this so far,” DiCarlo told the 15-member council. “I also strongly urge member states with influence over the parties to take advantage of the situation now.”
For nearly a year, Israeli and Palestinian Hamas militants have been at war in the besieged Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, Hezbollah also launched missiles against Israel in solidarity with the Palestinians and tens of thousands of people were evacuated from their homes on both sides of the Israeli-Lebanese border.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib accused Israel of carrying out the attacks and told the Council: “No one in this world is safe anymore”He showed the council a large photograph of a bloody hand with missing fingers.
“We came to the Council to protect our common humanity and call on you to clearly and unequivocally condemn the Israeli terrorist attacks, to hold Israel accountable for planning and implementing these attacks and for violating Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.
Israel has killed a senior Hezbollah commander and other figures from the Lebanese movement in a airstrike in Beirut Friday, and promised to apply pressure with a new military campaign to secure the area around the Lebanese border.
Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the UN, told the Security Council that Israel was not seeking a wider conflict, but that will not allow Hezbollah to continue its provocations. And he accused Hezbollah of violating international law.
“If Hezbollah does not withdraw from our border and return north of the Litani River through diplomatic efforts, Israel will have no choice but to use all means at its disposal to defend our citizens and allow evacuees from the north to return home,” he told the Security Council.
IRAN: “MAXIMUM MODERATION”
Israel last waged open war against Hezbollah 18 years old.
Iran, which supports Hezbollah and Hamas, has “repeatedly warned of the serious repercussions of the Israel’s “malicious activities” in the region, Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, told the Security Council.
“In the interest of regional peace and security and the so-called ceasefire talks (in Gaza), the Islamic Republic of Iran has always demonstrated the maximum moderation”he said. Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon was injured in this week’s attacks.
The UN’s top human rights official, Volker Turk, said it was “hard to conceive” that attacks on Hezbollah communications equipment this week were in line with international humanitarian law. He called for an investigation independent, complete and transparent and that those responsible are held accountable.
“I want to be clear: this method of warfare may be new and unfamiliar, but international humanitarian law and human rights law apply regardless and must be respected”Turk told the Council.
