United Nations, December 29 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a statement through his spokesman on December 29, expressing grave concern over the further spillover of the conflict caused by the intensification of hostilities between Israel and Hamas and other organizations in the Palestinian Gaza Strip.
On the same day, the UN Security Council reconvened an emergency meeting to discuss the escalation of tensions in the West Bank amid the ongoing fighting in the Gaza Strip.
Guterres said the risk of a broader regional conflict will not disappear as long as the conflict in the Gaza Strip continues, given the risk of escalation and miscalculation between multiple actors. He warned that if the conflict spreads further, it could have "devastating consequences" for the entire region.
Guterres noted that in the West Bank, Israeli security forces have moved more frequently, resulting in heavy casualties;At the same time, violence by Jewish settlers and attacks by Palestinians against Israelis are driving up levels of violence in the West Bank, which is "extremely worrying."
Guterres stressed that the daily exchange of fire across the "Blue Line" along the border between Lebanon and Israel could trigger broader friction between the two countries, which in turn could affect regional stability. In addition, continued attacks by armed groups in Iraq and Syria, as well as the escalation of attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on ships sailing the Red Sea in recent days, could have spillover effects.
Guterres urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and take urgent steps to reduce tensions in the region. He reiterated his appeal to all members of the international community to do everything in their power to use their influence on the parties concerned to prevent an escalation of the situation in the region.
Guterres concluded by reiterating the need for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees. (ENDS).