UN peacekeeping forces in Lebanon warned Wednesday that increased hostilities could prove "devastating", a day after a presumed Israeli strike killed Hamas's deputy leader in a Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut.
"We are deeply concerned at any potential for escalation that could have devastating consequences for people on both sides," said UNIFIL deputy spokeswoman Kandice Ardiel.
"We continue to implore all parties cease their fire, and any interlocutors with influence to urge restraint."
The strike on Tuesday killed Saleh al-Aruri, deputy head of Hamas, in Beirut's southern suburbs, two Lebanese security officials told AFP, blaming Israel.
Hamas, at war with Israel in Gaza for almost three months, confirmed Aruri's death, which Lebanese state media said came in an Israeli drone strike that also killed six others.
Hamas said Aruri would be buried on Thursday in Beirut's Shatila Palestinian refugee camp.
The attack marked an escalation in the nearly three-month-old war.
