World Leaders Express Concern over Civilian Casualties in Middle East Crisis – Live Updates
The European Union’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, has expressed deep concern over the recent series of pager detonations in Lebanon that have resulted in heavy civilian casualties. Borrell described the attacks as “extremely worrying” and highlighted the indiscriminate collateral damage among civilians, including children. The explosions, which targeted electronic devices in various areas across the country, have left thousands injured, with hundreds in critical condition and hospitals overwhelmed.
In a statement, Borrell condemned the attacks for endangering the security and stability of Lebanon, urging all stakeholders to prevent further escalation in the region. The European Union has called for efforts to avert an all-out war, emphasizing the potentially devastating consequences for the entire region and beyond.
UN High Commissioner Demands Accountability for Lebanon Pager Blasts
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has called for accountability for the wave of explosions in Lebanon targeting paging devices used by Hezbollah militants. Türk emphasized that the simultaneous targeting of thousands of individuals, whether civilians or armed group members, without knowledge of their presence violates international human rights and humanitarian law. The commissioner stressed the importance of holding those responsible for the attacks to account.
Hezbollah Attacks Israeli Military Posts in Retaliation
Following the pager blasts in Lebanon, Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for launching rockets at Israeli artillery positions in a cross-border attack. The incident marks the first such attack since the explosions, with a barrage of rockets fired at western Galilee. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries as the rockets struck open areas, according to the Israeli Defense Forces.
Irish Foreign Minister Micheál Martin has denounced the pager detonations in Lebanon as a wanton disregard for civilian lives, attributing the attacks to Israeli forces. Martin expressed deep concern over the impact on innocent civilians, including men, women, and children caught up in the explosions. He called on both Israel and Hezbollah to refrain from further escalating the situation, emphasizing the need for de-escalation in the region.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry has reported that out of nearly 3,000 people injured in the pager detonations, 1,800 were hospitalized, with 460 requiring surgery for severe injuries. Caretaker Health Minister Firas Abiad assured that the majority of cases would be treated within Lebanon, with some patients being evacuated to neighboring countries for medical assistance.
Investigation into Pager Production and Distribution
Amidst the aftermath of the explosions, questions have arisen regarding the production and distribution of the pagers used in the attacks. A Hungarian entity, authorized by a Taiwanese company to produce and sell the devices, has denied involvement in manufacturing them. The CEO of the Hungarian entity clarified that they were merely intermediaries and not responsible for the design or production of the pagers.
The European Union has called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the pager detonations, cautioning against jumping to conclusions. EU foreign affairs spokesperson Peter Stano emphasized the need for a comprehensive examination of how the attacks were organized and carried out before attributing blame.
Egypt has reiterated its commitment to existing border security arrangements with Gaza, rejecting any proposed changes to the operation of the Rafah crossing. The border security issue has become a point of contention in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, with Egypt playing a crucial role in facilitating discussions.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has provided updates on the progress of ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, stating that 15 out of 18 paragraphs of a proposed agreement have been agreed upon. Blinken emphasized the need for political will to bridge the remaining gaps and achieve a lasting ceasefire in the region.
In a joint appearance with Egypt’s foreign minister, Blinken reaffirmed the US commitment to gathering facts about the Lebanon pager explosions, urging all parties to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could escalate the conflict further. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, calling for accountability for the attacks that have resulted in significant civilian casualties.
As tensions remain high in the Middle East, world leaders are working towards de-escalation and finding peaceful resolutions to the ongoing crisis. The need for accountability, transparency, and dialogue among all stakeholders is paramount in preventing further violence and instability in the region.
