The United Nations has urgently called for the protection of civilians amidst escalating violence in the Middle East, particularly in light of ongoing military operations by the United States and Israel targeting Iranian infrastructure. This plea comes on the heels of a deadly attack on a girls’ school in Iran, which resulted in the deaths of 168 individuals, the majority being young schoolgirls aged between 7 and 12, according to Iran’s Minister of Education, Alireza Kazemi.
The strike occurred in the city of Minab during the first wave of airstrikes launched by the US and Israel. Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN human rights office, labeled the attack as “absolutely horrific” and emphasized the necessity for a “prompt, impartial and thorough investigation.” The UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, echoed these sentiments, expressing deep shock and calling for accountability and redress for the victims. Türk underscored that if the attack was indiscriminate or targeted civilians, it could constitute a grave breach of international humanitarian law and potential war crimes.
In a climate of rising tensions, Iran accused the US and Israel of intentionally targeting the school. Similar tragic incidents reportedly took place in other locations, including eastern Tehran and Abyek, as mentioned by Iran’s UN ambassador, Ali Bahreini. The US and Israel have yet to admit responsibility for the school attack. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, however, stated that American forces “would not deliberately target a school.” Israel, meanwhile, is reviewing the reports of this catastrophic event.
This incident occurs within a broader conflict that intensified following the launch of coordinated strikes by the US and Israel, intended to pressure ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran. In retaliation, Iran launched missile and drone attacks against Israeli and US positions in the region. In the conflict, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed, further exacerbating regional instability.
The expansion of hostilities prompted Hezbollah to join the fray, resulting in Israeli strikes on Lebanon and significant civilian displacement. The UN refugee agency reported that approximately 30,000 people have sought refuge from the violence, while disruptions to crucial shipping routes and the temporary closure of Gaza crossings have hampered humanitarian aid efforts. Further details on these developments have been reported by JURIST.
Volker Türk has called on all parties involved to honor international humanitarian norms and prioritize the safety of civilians, highlighting the critical need for de-escalation and diplomacy to avert further unnecessary civilian casualties and widespread destruction. Respected figures such as Malala Yousafzai, a UN Messenger of Peace, joined this outcry, urging all sides to adhere to international law, safeguard civilians, and protect schools amid the turmoil.