'World cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza': Guterres

The UN Secretary-General on Friday voiced profound concern over escalating violence and "bellicose rhetoric" between Israel and Hezbollah militants across the frontier with Lebanon, warning that one false move could trigger a catastrophe for the whole region and beyond.

The situation along the Blue Line, the demarcation between Israeli and Lebanese armed forces, has been deteriorating since Israel launched its offensive in the Gaza Strip following the brutal 7 October attack by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups against communities in the country's south.