Speaking to reporters on Friday at UN headquarters in New York, the UN chief warned that one wrong move could trigger a catastrophe for the entire region and beyond, the Xinhua news agency reported.
"A reckless move and, frankly, beyond imagination," he said.
He stressed that an expansion of the conflict in the Middle East must be avoided.
"Let us be clear: the people of the region and the people of the world cannot allow Lebanon to become another Gaza," he emphasized.
The UN Chief noted that on both sides of the Blue Line, many people have already lost their lives and tens of thousands of people have been driven from their homes and their livelihoods destroyed.
He urged both sides to urgently recommit to the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and immediately return to the cessation of hostilities.
Adopted in 2006, the resolution launched a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and the establishment of a demilitarized zone.
"The world must say loud and clear: immediate de-escalation is not only possible," Guterres said, declaring that "there is no military solution."
"It is time for reason and rationality. It is time for the parties to engage practically and pragmatically with the diplomatic and political avenues available," he stressed, noting that the cessation of hostilities and progress towards a permanent ceasefire They are the only lasting means. solution.
The UN Chief also highlighted the need to protect civilians, ensure that children, journalists and medical workers are not attacked and ensure that displaced people can return to their homes.
The United Nations is actively engaged in promoting peace, security and stability, in accordance with resolution 1701, he said.
"UN peacekeepers, UNIFIL, are on the ground working to reduce tensions and help prevent miscalculations, in an extremely challenging environment," he said, adding that the United Nations fully supports diplomatic efforts to put end the violence, restore stability and prevent even greater human suffering in the region.
"And we do so as we continue to press for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages and a real path towards a two-state solution," Guterres concluded.
"A reckless move and, frankly, beyond imagination," he said.
He stressed that an expansion of the conflict in the Middle East must be avoided.
"Let us be clear: the people of the region and the people of the world cannot allow Lebanon to become another Gaza," he emphasized.
The UN Chief noted that on both sides of the Blue Line, many people have already lost their lives and tens of thousands of people have been driven from their homes and their livelihoods destroyed.
He urged both sides to urgently recommit to the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and immediately return to the cessation of hostilities.
Adopted in 2006, the resolution launched a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and the establishment of a demilitarized zone.
"The world must say loud and clear: immediate de-escalation is not only possible," Guterres said, declaring that "there is no military solution."
"It is time for reason and rationality. It is time for the parties to engage practically and pragmatically with the diplomatic and political avenues available," he stressed, noting that the cessation of hostilities and progress towards a permanent ceasefire They are the only lasting means. solution.
The UN Chief also highlighted the need to protect civilians, ensure that children, journalists and medical workers are not attacked and ensure that displaced people can return to their homes.
The United Nations is actively engaged in promoting peace, security and stability, in accordance with resolution 1701, he said.
"UN peacekeepers, UNIFIL, are on the ground working to reduce tensions and help prevent miscalculations, in an extremely challenging environment," he said, adding that the United Nations fully supports diplomatic efforts to put end the violence, restore stability and prevent even greater human suffering in the region.
"And we do so as we continue to press for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages and a real path towards a two-state solution," Guterres concluded.
