ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Tuesday called on all parties to support Beirut as the Israeli military prepares to launch a ground aggression in southern Lebanon despite international calls on Tel Aviv to cease the operations.

“We are gathered here today at a time when Lebanon is facing one of the most dangerous phases of its history," said Mikati during a meeting with UN representatives, international diplomats, and top officials of his cabinet.

The Lebanese premier expressed his appreciation for the ongoing support and humanitarian aid of the UN and Arab countries, but issued an “urgent” call for more assistance, calling on all sides to stand alongside Beirut.

“I appeal to you all to continue to stand by Lebanon, and to help us protect our people with dignity until they can return safely to their homes and towns,” urged Mikati.

The Israeli military has announced its plans to launch a ground aggression in southern Lebanon aimed at “dismantling” the Hezbollah and its capabilities near the border. It has in the meantime continued its aerial offensive on Beirut’s southern suburbs, carrying out at least six strikes in the early hours of Tuesday.

The Hezbollah on Tuesday afternoon denied the Israel’s claims that its forces had successfully infiltrated Lebanese territory after clashes with Hezbollah fighters, saying “there has been no ground penetration.”

On the sidelines of the ministerial meeting of the global coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS), Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein warned US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that the continuation of Israel's aggression on Lebanon will "lead to an outbreak of other wars" and contribute to creating new "terrorist" organizations.

Hussein stressed the necessity of international efforts for an immediate ceasefire and the need to protect Lebanon and its people.

The Turkish foreign ministry said that Israel’s “illegal invasion” of Lebanon must be immediately stopped, calling on the UN Security Council to uphold international law and take measures against Israel’s actions.

“This dangerous invasion attempt is likely to spark a new wave of migration and to give ground to extremists all around the world. These developments will also affect the countries that provide political support and arms to Israel,” read a statement from the Turkish foreign ministry.

Hanafi Jebali, speaker of the Egyptian parliament, on Tuesday labeled Israel’s aggression in Lebanon “a blatant violation of a sovereign country,” warning that it could lead to a full-scale regional conflict.

Lolwah al-Khater, Qatar’s minister of state for international cooperation, emphasized the need for unity among Arab states to put an end to the Israeli offensive.

“The equation is now clearer than ever! If we do not unite today to stop the Israeli occupation that has unleashed itself like a beast in our region, tomorrow the war will reach every Arab city, not just Beirut and Gaza. Everyone is in the same boat today and no one will survive alone,” she wrote on X.

The Russian foreign ministry in a statement on Tuesday strongly condemned Israel’s actions in Lebanon, calling on Israeli authorities to “immediately” cease all hostilities and withdraw all troops from Lebanese territories.

"The combined nature of the Israeli invasion involving all branches of the military gives reason to assume that the number of victims will steadily increase. It is obvious that such a step, taken by the military-political leadership of Israel following the murder of a number of Hezbollah leaders, will lead to a further escalation of violence in the Middle East region," read the statement.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares also stressed the need for a truce in Lebanon and a ceasefire in Gaza, calling on Israel to cease its operations in southern Lebanon to avoid further escalations.

"We insist that the ground incursion should be halted, as we're receiving very worrying information," Albares told reporters.

The Swiss foreign ministry said it was “deeply concerned” about the developments in Lebanon, urging all sides to “immediately cease hostilities,” and highlighting the need to respect international laws.

In a phone call with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin reiterated Washington’s support for Israel to “defend itself” and said that the US is “well postured” to defend its personnel and allies against Iran and Iran-backed armed groups.

“They agreed on the necessity of dismantling attack infrastructure along the border to ensure that Lebanese Hizballah cannot conduct October 7-style attacks on Israel's northern communities,” read a statement from the US Department of Defense, adding that the need for a diplomatic resolution was also highlighted to ensure that civilians can return to their homes safely.

Mikati and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Tuesday launched a $426 million flash appeal “to mobilise urgent resources for civilians affected by the escalating conflict and resulting humanitarian crisis in Lebanon.”

Up to one million people in Lebanon have been forced to flee their homes as a result of the recent Israeli aggression. Around 1,000 people have been killed by Israeli strikes on Lebanon in the past two weeks.