The United Nations warned Israel against a “large-scale ground invasion” of Lebanon, after the Israeli military began a ground assault, AFP reports.

“With armed violence between Israel and Hezbollah boiling over, the consequences for civilians have already been terrible,” Liz Throssell, spokeswoman for the UN rights office, told reporters in Geneva.

“We fear a large-scale ground invasion by Israel into Lebanon would only result in greater suffering,” she warned.

Her comment came as Israeli troops were locked in fierce clashes inside Lebanon after launching a ground offensive, after a week of deadly airstrikes.