UN's Guterres calls for end to violence in Middle East

AI Summary

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep alarm at the escalating violence in the Middle East and urged Israel to reopen crossings into Gaza. He called for immediate cessation of all attacks and respect for ceasefires in Lebanon, Iran, and Gaza amid recent missile exchanges.

By Katharine Jackson WASHINGTON, June 9 (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Tuesday he was "deeply alarmed" by a renewed escalation of violence in the Middle East and called on Israel to reopen crossings into Gaza. "All attacks must stop immediately. The ceasefires in Lebanon, Iran & Gaza must be fully respected," he said in a post on X. Israel struck targets in Iran on Monday for the first time since a ceasefire in April, after Iran fired missiles at Israel in what Tehran said was retaliation for Israeli strikes on Lebanon's capital.