The Israeli attacks last Wednesday in Lebanon have left 303 dead, according to the latest report from the Lebanese Ministry of Health, a figure that adds to a total of 1,888 deceased and more than 6,000 injured since the start of hostilities on March 2. Rescue teams continue to remove bodies from the rubble, so the number of victims could increase.
Amidst the escalation, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has backed direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon as the only way to guarantee the security of both countries. His spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, emphasized that "there is no military solution to the conflicts in the region" and that the diplomatic path is the only one capable of offering stability. The UN has shown willingness to provide technical support or mediation if requested.
For its part, Turkey has warned about possible sabotage attempts by Israel in the negotiation process between the United States and Iran, which will begin this weekend in Pakistan. The Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, called on the international community to be prepared and thanked Pakistan for its mediation role in this temporary two-week truce.