UN envoy urges halt to violence after Israeli strikes on Lebanon

The UN special coordinator for Lebanon on Wednesday condemned a new wave of Israeli strikes, warning that the violence must stop immediately.

“Today’s wave of IDF strikes came just as hopes for an end to violence and destruction were rising. This cannot go on,” Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said in a post on X, the US social media platform.

She said neither side could achieve victory through force and called for an immediate halt to hostilities, direct talks and a clear roadmap based on Resolution 1701.

The Israeli army said it struck more than 100 sites “within 10 minutes” across Beirut, the Beqaa Valley and southern Lebanon, describing it as the largest coordinated strike since the start of the current offensive.

Israel has conducted airstrikes and a ground offensive in southern Lebanon since a cross-border attack by Hezbollah on March 2, despite a ceasefire that took effect in November 2024.

Lebanese authorities say at least 1,497 people have been killed and more than 4,400 injured in Israeli attacks since then.