The death toll is climbing. Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon have killed at least 17 people, according to Lebanese officials. The UK government has issued a statement demanding an immediate ceasefire.
The Foreign Office is calling for restraint on all sides. But in Whitehall, the mood is grim. There is a sense that this is a flashpoint no one saw coming.
Or rather, a flashpoint everyone saw coming and did nothing to prevent. The official line is that we stand with Israel's right to self-defence. But the subtext is that this escalation is a disaster for regional stability.
Labour backbenchers are restless. They are watching the civilian casualty count and the optics are not good for a government that promised a 'moral' foreign policy. The numbers are stark: 17 dead, including women and children.
The Lebanese government says the strikes hit residential areas. Israel claims they were targeting Hezbollah weapons storage sites. The truth, as always, will be messy.
Inside the Lobby, there is chatter about a private letter being drafted by Labour MPs to the Foreign Secretary. They want a stronger condemnation, possibly sanctions. The whips will try to kill it, but the mood on the green benches is volatile.
Meanwhile, the US is holding back. They are calling for 'proportionality' which is code for 'do not push this too far'. But the US has its own problems in the region.
The UK is caught in the middle. We have no leverage but plenty of opinion. The PM is due to make a statement later today.
Expect careful wording designed to please no one. The real story here is the fragility of the peace. The Northern Ireland model?
Not relevant. The Geneva process? Stalled.
What we have is a powder keg and a match.
