UN envoy 'profoundly concerned' by recent Mideast developments

WASHINGTON

UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, Tor Wennesland, voiced concern on Wednesday about developments in the region.

"Profoundly concerned by the recent developments in the Middle East which may have far-reaching implications for the region. I urge for restraint & avoiding actions that could further destabilize the region," Wennesland wrote on X.

He said he is in contact with all relevant parties to work toward defusing tensions.

"The goal of these efforts are clear - regional de-escalation, including achieving a ceasefire and the release of all hostages in Gaza, & working towards a lasting peace," he said, adding that the UN is ready to support diplomatic efforts to further the prospect for regional stability.

Tension has escalated between Hezbollah and Israel following a missile attack Saturday on the town of Druze in Majdal Shams in Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

While Israel blamed Hezbollah for Saturday’s attack, the Lebanese group has denied responsibility.

On Tuesday, the Israeli military struck southern Beirut to target a senior Hezbollah commander.

And early Wednesday, the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, announced that its leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Tehran.

Israel has not yet confirmed or denied its involvement.

The killing of Haniyeh came as Israel continued its devastating military campaign in the Gaza Strip which has killed more than 39,400 victims and injured over 91,000 since Oct. 7 following an attack by Hamas.