UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that the Middle East is being pulled into a deepening crisis, with far-reaching consequences.

“The Middle East is being pulled deeper into crisis & the consequences reach far beyond the region,” he said in a post on X.

“This week has brought wider attacks and further deterioration where the ceasefire is more like a lesser-fire,” he said.

“We should not minimize the risks of lesser fire becoming full fire,” he added, emphasising that “all parties must work towards a diplomatic settlement. No more attacks. No more excuses.”