UN aid chief warns of ‘potentially apocalyptic’ spread of Gaza war to Lebanon

NEWS WIRES

26 June 2024 at 4:20 pm·1-min read

UN aid chief Martin Griffiths on Wednesday said he was concerned by the possible spread of the
Israel-Hamas war in Gaza to Lebanon and warned of a "potentially apocalyptic" humanitarian situation in the region.

The outgoing United Nations humanitarian chief warned Wednesday that a spread of the Israel-Hamas war to Lebanon would be "potentially apocalyptic", as fighting raged in the southern Gaza Strip.

Martin Griffiths described Lebanon as "the flashpoint beyond all flashpoints", especially its southern border with Israel which has seen daily cross-border violence since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.

"It's beyond planning. It's potentially apocalyptic," warned Griffiths whose term as UN humanitarian coordinator ends this week.

A war involving Lebanon "will draw in Syria... it will draw in others", he told reporters in Geneva. "It's very alarming."

Germany on Wednesday echoed a Canadian warning from the day before, urging their citizens in Lebanon to leave the country.

"German nationals are urgently requested to leave Lebanon," updated foreign ministry advice in Berlin said.

"The current heightened tensions in the border area with Israel could escalate further at any time."

On Tuesday, Ottawa advised Canadians to leave Lebanon "while they can".

(AFP)

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