The worst possible scenario, an escalation towards a regional war, was the major concern of the international community, which has intensified mediation in recent days to avoid it, but without success. The ground invasion of Lebanon, which the United States, the European Union and Arab countries warned against, took place and Iran’s response was virtually immediate. “I condemn the expansion of the conflict in the Middle East, escalation after escalation. This must stop,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said after the missile launch on Israel.
He was one of the first to react, once again demanding a ceasefire that all international leaders have reiterated in recent days, also coinciding with the UN General Assembly in New York. But Benjamin Netanyahu, present on site, ignored him. As are calls to stop the escalation. Intervention “would significantly worsen the situation and must be avoided,” the EU warned just hours before the start of the ground offensive in Lebanon. This declaration was ultimately in the name of the High Representative, Josep Borrell, given the Czech Republic’s refusal to sign it due to the allusion to Netanyahu’s military intervention.
All international leaders are watching the escalation progress. United States President Joe Biden and Vice President and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris are monitoring the situation from the situation room and a Pentagon press conference is expected in the coming minutes.
For now, Biden has ordered the US military to support Israel and repel the Iranian attack by shooting down the missiles, according to the White House.
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