Israel pushing region towards 'all-out war': Egypt, Iraq and Jordan

The foreign ministers of Egypt, Iraq and Jordan condemned Israel's "aggression" against Lebanon on Wednesday, warning that it is "pushing the region towards all-out war".

The ministers said that stopping the "dangerous escalation under way in the region... begins by halting Israel's aggression in Gaza", in a joint statement issued after a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

We need to protect civilian lives: Trudeau

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday called for a de-escalation in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah and said the killing of women and children in Lebanon was extraordinarily concerning.

 Members of the Red Crescent walk at the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. File/Reuters

"We need to make sure there is de-escalation, both by Israel and Hezbollah. We need to protect civilian lives. We need to make sure we're moving towards peace and stability in the entire region," Trudeau added.

Canada has a significant population of Lebanese descent.

Reduce spiralling tension, Macron tells Iran leader

French President Emmanuel Macron pressed Iran's new president to use his influence to dial down soaring tensions in Lebanon, where Israel is striking Tehran-backed Hezbollah.

Macron met with Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the annual UN General Assembly as casualties mounted in Lebanon.

Macron "highlighted the responsibility of Iran to support a general de-escalation and use its influence with destabilising actors," an Elysee statement said, in a clear reference to Hezbollah.

Macron has already spoken twice by telephone with Pezeshkian as tensions rose between Israel and Hezbollah.

Agencies