First Minister John Swinney has warned Israel's assault on Lebanon risks a "broader, more dangerous conflict in the Middle East".

The nation is carrying out large-scale air strikes on its neighbouring country, saying it is targeting members of Hezbollah and the Houthi rebels.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an air strike on Friday, with Lebanon saying the strikes have killed upwards of 1,000 people - mostly civilians - and could displace one million.

Speaking at the Scottish Muslim Awards, Mr Swinney said: "The suffering in Gaza is morally indefensible, and what we are now seeing in Lebanon, alongside earlier events in Yemen, signals the potential for a broader, more dangerous conflict in the Middle East.

"Tonight, I reiterate our call for an immediate ceasefire, the resumption of humanitarian aid in Gaza, and a two-state solution that recognises an independent, sovereign Palestinian state. We must end the hypocrisy of accepting ongoing conflict and suffering in the Middle East, in the interest of human dignity for all.”


Read More:


Specifically addressing the ongoing situation in Gaza, the First Minister repeated his party's calls for a ceasefire.

He said: "It is absolutely heartbreaking to see what has unfolded over the past 12 months. The conflict has been both acute and morally indefensible. The Scottish Government, under the incredible and decisive leadership of Humza Yousaf, called for an immediate ceasefire 11 months ago.

"It was clear then, as it is even more so today, that the human suffering in Gaza is relentless and unacceptable. If the case for a ceasefire was strong last October, it is now absolutely desperate and necessary.”

That message was echoed by Mr Swinney's predecessor, Humza Yousaf, who was also in attendance.

The former First Minister's wife is of Palestinian descent, and had family trapped in Gaza when the war broke out.

Mr Yousaf said: "Do not stop talking about Gaza or Lebanon. Do not stop.

“What we are witnessing is racism. If the tens of thousands of children killed in Gaza or the thousands of civilians killed in Lebanon were blonde-haired, blue-eyed Europeans, Israel would have been stopped in its tracks months ago. We must ensure it is clear: Arab lives matter. I promise, whatever position I hold in life going forward, I will always stand up for the innocent, whether they are European, Asian, Arab, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, or from any other background. Let’s continue to commit ourselves to the cause of humanity.”