United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed serious concern regarding the dramatic escalation of events in Beirut in the last 24 hours. According to a statement by the Spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General, Guterres affirmed, "This cycle of violence must stop now." The Secretary-General added, "All sides must step back from the brink." Moreover, he urged the parties to reaffirm their commitment to fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and to immediately return to a cessation of hostilities. Guterres also called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the detainees. Source: Qatar News Agency