UNITED NATIONS, Sept 23—Heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah threaten a broader conflict in the region, sidelining any message assigned by U.S. President Joe Biden during his United Nations General Assembly. What usually presents itself as an international assembly to discuss global issues is now concerned with preventing a wider regional war in the Middle East.

When, on Monday, the Israeli attack on Lebanon was said to have claimed over 490 lives, there were indications that a full-scale war could be in the offing. However, France, a member of the UN Security Council, demanded an emergency session while the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, also described his deep concern. The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said, “We are almost in a full-fledged war.”

The US called on Israel not to invade Lebanon on the ground. The senior official said during negotiations in the United Nations, There is a clear plan for easing the situation. Nevertheless, it is still unclear whether diplomacy can help reduce tensions as cease-fire attempts in Gaza – targeted by Israel since October 2023 – have ceased. The war between Israel and Hamas has further deepened the crises within the UN over the efficiency of the body in facilitating effective peace in the region.(More)

“Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan will top the agenda,” Director of International Crisis Group for New York Richard Gowan, specifying that world leaders may threaten the UN with its irrelevance if it does not facilitate peace.

Over 100 presidents are expected to deliver their speeches at the beginning of the week. A year ago, people discussed the civil war in Sudan and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but several crises are occurring simultaneously this year.

Before the summit, Guterres noted that global problems are evolving faster than the international response. The current war in the Middle East region has since prophesied after the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel became the main topic of discussion at the United Nations; Netanyahu of Benjamin and Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine in this week’s gathering.

On Tuesday, regional actors such as Turkey, Jordan, Qatar, Iran, and Algeria will call for a cease to operations in Gaza as the conflict enters its one year. Ukraine will also focus on this as Zelensky pleads to the UN Security Council to extend support against Russia. “Putin has taken much already, but he will never steal the world’s future,” Zelensky said at the UN on Monday.

Massive diplomacy is expected to be in the background when speeches are given to the public. Gowan said low-level talks between Western and Arab envoys with Iran might help avoid escalating the conflict.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani has also urged the Arab leaders to gather on the sidelines of the UN assembly to discuss the issue of Lebanon. Guterres has also warned against Lebanon degenerating into Gaza as the conflict escalates.

Tension continues to rise during the week, and it is still being determined whether the UN can contain the conflict in time to act as an effective mediator.