UN Warning on the Implications of War Expansion to Lebanon

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, expressed concern on Wednesday about the potential expansion of the Israeli war from Gaza to Lebanon and Syria, warning that this could be "horrific." In statements to reporters in Geneva, Griffiths, whose term ends at the end of the month, said, "I see it as a spark that will ignite the gunpowder... and this could be horrific," particularly pointing to southern Lebanon. He confirmed that he discussed with his colleagues in Jerusalem the possible scenarios of what could happen there. He also warned that a war involving Lebanon "would drag in Syria... which in turn would drag in others," adding that "it would certainly have repercussions on Gaza, as well as implications for the West Bank." He affirmed that the situation is "very concerning," stating that "the war that broke out about nine months ago following an unprecedented attack by Hamas inside Israeli territory has taught us a new level of tragedy and brutality."