United Nations: Serious Escalation in the Middle East and Emergency Security Council Session

The United Nations stated on Wednesday evening that "the attacks in Beirut and Tehran represent a serious escalation." It emphasized that "any escalation that drives the Middle East to the abyss must be prevented," noting that "the Middle East is going through a sensitive time and calls for restraint are not sufficient." For its part, the Security Council Presidency announced an emergency session today following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas's political bureau. Israel had announced on Tuesday the assassination of prominent Hezbollah figure Fouad Shukr in an airstrike targeting a residential building in the Lebanese capital, Beirut.