UK foreign secretary 'deeply alarmed' by rockets, airstrikes in Lebanon, Israel

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) – The British foreign secretary on Monday expressed concern over the escalation of tensions between Israel and Lebanon, warning that further escalation could have even "more devastating consequences."

"Deeply alarmed by rockets and air strikes in Lebanon and Israel and resulting civilian casualties. Further escalation risks even more devastating consequences," David Lammy wrote on X.

Lebanese health authorities said 492 people, including 35 children, have been killed and over 1,600 others injured in Israeli attacks since Monday morning, with thousands of civilians forced to flee their homes.

"I repeat my call for an immediate ceasefire on both sides, which I will emphasise when I meet G7 ministers tonight," he added.

Tension has mounted between Hezbollah and Israel following a deadly airstrike on Friday that killed at least 45 people, including women and children, and injured over dozens in a suburb of Beirut.

Hezbollah confirmed that at least 16 of its members, including senior leader Ibrahim Aqil and top commander Ahmed Wahbi, were killed in the Israeli airstrike.

Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in cross-border warfare since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza, which has killed over 41,400 people, mostly women and children, following a cross-border attack by Palestinian group Hamas last Oct. 7.