United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate end to hostilities in Lebanon, warning that the country’s south risks becoming a wasteland amid Israel’s ongoing military assault. Speaking at a news conference in Beirut on Saturday, Guterres said there was “no military solution, only diplomacy,” as he launched a $325 million flash appeal to support more than 800,000 internally displaced people since the conflict began on March 2. He also questioned the legality of Israel’s evacuation orders, which now cover 14 percent of Lebanon, under international humanitarian law.

The visit coincided with Lebanese efforts to form a negotiating delegation for potential talks with Israel, with Cyprus or another European capital being considered as a venue. French President Emmanuel Macron said Lebanon was ready for direct talks and offered to host them in Paris. Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that Jared Kushner and Ron Dermer could lead the U.S. and Israeli sides, respectively, in discussions focused on ending the fighting and disarming Hezbollah.

Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health reported that Israeli strikes have killed 826 people, including 65 women, 106 children, and 31 paramedics, since March 2. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned that Israel could be committing “a new genocide.”