Brussels, March 26 -- In an urgent appeal to the global community, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed grave concerns about the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Speaking at a press conference, Guterres warned that the situation had spiralled out of control and was on the brink of triggering a broader war with far-reaching consequences.

"Just hours into the outbreak of the war in the Middle East, I warned that the fighting risked triggering a chain reaction that no one could control," Guterres said. "More than three weeks on, the war is out of control. The conflict has broken past the limits even leaders thought unimaginable."

He emphasized that the ongoing violence is not only causing massive human suffering but is a...