Guterres expressed grave concern over the sharp escalation of the situation in Beirut

He pointed out that the cycle of violence must stop immediately and that all parties must pull back from the brink. The people of Lebanon, the people of Israel and the region as a whole cannot afford a full-scale war.

He urged all parties to renew their commitment to the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 and to resume the cessation of hostilities without delay.

At the same time, he reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and for the release of all hostages held there.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave the order to assassinate Allah leader Nasrallah on Friday while attending the UN General Assembly summit in New York. Nasrallah was then killed in Israel bombing of buildings in a residential area on the southern outskirts of Beirut. As a result of the bombing, several buildings in the residential area were razed to the ground. Israel said Nasrallah was hidden under the headquarters of the Allah militia beneath the building.

The bombing and assassination is the latest escalation in Israel's campaign against Allah in a conflict that has lasted nearly a year. Allah has been sending rockets into northern Israel in solidarity with Hamas since the outbreak of fighting in Gaza on October 8. Israel has begun to intensify its crackdown against Allah in the past two weeks.

After Allah confirmed Nasrallah's death on Saturday, Israel began another round of bombardment in and around Beirut. There are widespread fears that the escalation could trigger a full-scale war in the region.