UK’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Monday condemned the increasing violence between Israel and Lebanon, cautioning that this war could be worse for innocent civilians.

“Seriously concerned in response to rockets and airstrikes in Lebanon and Israel, and consequent loss of life among civilians. The threat continues to heighten, and this would bring about more severe effects,” Lammy said on the now-defunct micro-blogging site X (Twitter).

This statement comes after sixty minutes of Israeli air strikes in Lebanon that have claimed 492 Lebanese lives with 35 children, as per the Lebanese health minister. Since the strikes were launched, over 1600 people have been injured, and thousands of civilians have been displaced from their homes.

Lammy reiterated his call on both to cease the conflict immediately, pointing out that he was going to discuss it with the G7 ministers. “I want to stress my previous call for cessation of hostilities on both sides, and I will do this when speaking to ministers of G7 countries tonight,” he continued.

Relations between Israel and a key enemy of the Jewish state – the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah – have worsened after the killing on Friday of a senior Hezbollah operative in Beirut by an Israeli air strike. It also led to the deaths of at least 45 people, including women and children, in a civilian neighborhood. Among the dead, 16 were identified by Hezbollah as members of their group, including its leader Ibrahim Aqil and top commander Ahmed Wahbi.

After the beginning of the Israeli operation in Gaza, fighting between Hezbollah and Israel has been ongoing. The war, which started because of the mishap on the Palestinians’ side when the Hamas group attacked Independent Day, October 7, has killed over 41,400 human beings, out of which a larger part of the ladies and children.

Similarly, seeking a cease in the conflict of the latter, Lammy gets in line with the increasing international concern in the escalating humanitarian crisis that the conflict is having on both the Lebanese and the Israeli civilians. Nevertheless, as violence increases, the way out in de-escalation yet again remains to be seen.

The conflict has received severe condemnation globally, with non-governmental organizations urging for an escalated conflict situation. The target populace in both Israeli and Lebanese territories has signaled a rise in risk due to escalating airstrikes, rocket strikes, and counterstrikes, which trigger massive population displacement and escalating humanitarian concerns. 

Lebanon’s shelters are overly congested, basic facilities are damaged, and aid is struggling to find a way in. At the same time, other world leaders, such as those attending the summit of the Group of Seven industrialized nations, are likely to demand more diplomatic efforts to avoid escalating the conflict into a larger regional war.