UN urges restraint amid rising Israel-Lebanon tensions

The UN has called for calm in response to Israeli soldiers allegedly attempting to start fires in southern Lebanon by launching fireballs with catapults, as an intensifying conflict in Israel's north has raised fears of a full-fledged war.

“We are encouraging all parties to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from any action or statement,” deputy spokesman for the UN Secretary General Farhan Haq said at a news conference.

On Friday, Israeli jets and artillery struck southern Lebanon, as dozens of missiles were launched towards northern Israel.

"The danger of a wider conflagration is very real", Haq added.