NEW YORK - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urgently warned on Tuesday that Lebanon is teetering on the brink of a full-scale war:UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urgently warned on Tuesday that Lebanon is teetering on the brink of a full-scale war, highlighting the dire need for immediate intervention to prevent further escalation. In a press conference at UN headquarters in New York, Guterres detailed the intensifying military engagements in the region, including significant casualties and displacement, underscoring the volatile situation that could spiral out of control if not addressed promptly. According to Namibia Press Agency, Guterres expressed deep concern over the recent surge in violence across the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon and the occupied West Bank. He emphasized that the Middle East is a "powder keg with many parties holding the match," and warned of the risks of the conflict spreading further. Over the past days, clashes between Hezbollah and other groups in Lebanon agains t the Israel Defense Forces have escalated along the Blue Line, blatantly ignoring UN Security Council resolutions 1701 and 1559. The Secretary-General reported devastating casualties and displacement resulting from these conflicts. He noted that large-scale Israeli strikes deep into Lebanon, including Beirut, have resulted in over 2,000 deaths in the past year, with 1,500 of those occurring in just the last two weeks. Additionally, attacks from Hezbollah and other groups south of the Blue Line have claimed at least 49 lives over the same period. The ongoing violence has also led to massive displacement, with over 1 million people internally displaced within Lebanon, 300,000 fleeing to Syria, and 60,000 displaced from northern Israel. Guterres highlighted the catastrophic humanitarian, political, diplomatic, and moral crises unfolding, particularly pointing to the prolonged nightmare in Gaza, now in a horrific second year following the attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023. He detailed the extensive human suf fering in Gaza, where over 41,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been reported killed, with thousands more missing and the entire population displaced. In his address, Guterres reiterated the importance of respecting and protecting civilians and meeting their essential needs through humanitarian assistance. He condemned all violations of international humanitarian law, particularly in Gaza, and called for an immediate ceasefire in both Gaza and Lebanon. He also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of hostages and urgent lifesaving aid for all in need. The UN chief also praised the efforts of the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, for their continued commitment to their mandates under challenging conditions. He urged all actors to ensure the safety and security of these peacekeepers. In conclusion, Guterres called for irreversible actions towards a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine, stressing that there is still time to avert an all-out war in Lebanon but action must be taken immediately.