Editorial | Work towards peace in the Middle East for sake of humanity
Enough innocent lives have been lost in futile tit-for-tat atrocities and the conflict risks escalating further out of control
The world is used to living with the spectre of a war in the Middle East that could engulf the region. The threat has rarely been clearer.
Tit-for-tat air attacks between Israel and Iran-backed, Lebanon-based Hezbollah militants have taken it to another level. Hopes of heading it off now rest with a proposal by the United States, France, Europe and other allies for an immediate 21-day ceasefire while also expressing support for a similar truce in Gaza.
After one air strike on Lebanon that is reported to have killed 500 people, including many civilians, Israel intercepted a Hezbollah guided ballistic missile over Tel Aviv, and has said it is preparing for a potential ground operation.
This is an ominous escalation of the year-old war in Gaza, where Israeli retaliation against Hamas militants for mass killings and hostage-taking has cost more than 41,000 lives, mostly Palestinian women and children.
The Hezbollah political and militant movement in Lebanon is heavily armed and backed by Iran, a sworn enemy of the Israeli regime. The potential for a much bigger conflict in an oil-rich region that will affect everyone is extremely grave.
An all-out war cannot be ruled out. Lebanon has begun evacuations, and foreigners have been advised to leave.