'Miscalculation' could lead to wider Hezbollah-Israel conflict, say UN officials

There is a "very real" risk that a miscalculation along Lebanon's southern border could trigger a wider conflict betweenHezbollahand the Israeli military, two UNofficials in Lebanon warned on Saturday.

The United Nations special coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, and the head of UNpeacekeeping forces in Lebanon, Aroldo Lazaro, said they were "deeply concerned" about the recent escalation along Lebanon's border.

Iran-backedHezbollahlast week launched the largest volleys of rockets and drones yet in the eight months it has been exchanging fire with the Israeli military, in parallel with the Gaza war.

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"The danger of miscalculation leading to a sudden and wider conflict is very real," the two officials said in a written statement on Saturday.

The United States and France are working on a negotiated settlement to the hostilities along Lebanon's southern border.Hezbollahsays it will not halt fire unless Israel's military offensive on Gaza stops.