UNITED NATIONS (United States) – Rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah threatened to overshadow US President Joe Biden’s closing remarks at the UN’s annual gathering on Tuesday, as diplomats worked urgently to prevent a wider regional conflict.
This major diplomatic event, which brought together dozens of global leaders, coincided with Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon that, according to local officials, left over 490 people dead.
On Monday, as leaders convened in New York for speeches and negotiations, France, a member of the UN Security Council, called for an emergency session to address the escalating Middle East crisis.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern, while the EU’s chief diplomat Josep Borrell warned that the situation was on the brink of becoming a full-scale war. The US, a key ally of Israel, once again urged against a full invasion of Lebanon, with a senior US official pledging to present de-escalation strategies at the UN.
Efforts to negotiate a ceasefire in Gaza, which Israel has heavily bombed since October 2023, have so far been unsuccessful, casting doubt on what can be done to ease the growing conflict in Lebanon.
“Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan will dominate the discussions,” said Richard Gowan of the International Crisis Group, noting that many leaders will likely stress the risk of the UN losing its relevance if it fails to promote peace.
More than 100 global leaders are set to deliver speeches during the UN summit, which will continue through Monday.
Growing Global Crisis
Since last year’s UN summit, when the civil war in Sudan and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine took center stage, global challenges have only intensified.
Ahead of the gathering, Guterres cautioned that global issues are advancing faster than solutions can be found. The October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and the ensuing violence has deepened divisions within the UN, as world leaders grapple with multiple crises.
Both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas are expected to address the General Assembly this week, which could lead to heightened tensions.
On Tuesday, diplomats from Turkey, Jordan, Qatar, Iran, and Algeria are expected to call for a ceasefire in Gaza after nearly a year of warfare. The war in Ukraine will also be a key topic, with President Volodymyr Zelensky addressing a UN Security Council session on Russia’s invasion.
“I urge all leaders and nations to continue supporting our efforts for a peaceful and just future,” Zelensky told the UN on Monday, adding that although “Putin has already stolen much, he will never steal the world’s future.”
Diplomatic Hopes
Though the UN event provides a platform for discussions, it remains uncertain if the gathering will yield any concrete solutions for the millions suffering from conflict and poverty worldwide.
“Real diplomatic progress will likely happen behind closed doors,” said Gowan, suggesting that Western and Arab diplomats may quietly engage Iran in discussions to prevent further escalation of the regional conflict.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has also called for an urgent Arab leadership meeting on the sidelines of the UN Assembly to address the Lebanon crisis. Meanwhile, Guterres warned of the risk of Lebanon becoming “another Gaza” if the violence continues.
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