UN chief calls for Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon

UN secretary general Antonio Guterres expressed concern on Tuesday over the escalation of Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for Israel to withdraw its forces from Lebanese territory. In a statement, he condemned the “mounting civilian casualties, including women and children” and was quoted as saying he is alarmed by reported Israeli strikes affecting hospitals, healthcare workers and public institutions, as well as restrictions on humanitarian access. Israeli attacks across southern Lebanon have killed at least 27 people over the past three days, according to the country's health ministry. Smoke rising from the site of an Israeli explosion in the southern Lebanese village of al-Hanniyeh, on 8 September 2026 (Kawnat Haju/AFP)