By Ayo Kehinde
The United Nations has issued an urgent plea for the protection of civilians as the intensifying conflict triggered by joint Israeli and U.S. military action against Iran expands across the region, displacing tens of thousands and inflicting heavy civilian harm.
At a press briefing in Geneva, a senior UN rights official described harrowing scenes from a strike on a primary school in Minab in southern Iran that reportedly killed and injured dozens of girls during the opening of the school day.
“Backpacks with bloodstains on them — this is absolutely horrific,” said a spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, urging all parties to uphold international humanitarian law.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk condemned the impact of the hostilities on civilians and civilian infrastructure and called for a prompt, impartial and thorough investigation into the Minab school strike.
He emphasised that attacks deliberately targeting civilians or civilian objects or indiscriminate attacks, are serious violations of international law and may amount to war crimes.
The human toll has also grown sharply in neighbouring Lebanon, where Israeli air raids targeting areas around Beirut and the south of the country have forced more than 30,000 people from their homes, according to the UN refugee agency.
Many have sought refuge in collective shelters, while others are reported to be sleeping in vehicles or on roadside verges.
UNHCR officials warned that displacement could surge further if hostilities continue, particularly as evacuation orders and intensifying strikes disrupt civilian communities and essential services.
The conflict, which erupted on Saturday with coordinated U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets, has broadened beyond Iran’s borders.
Iran has launched retaliatory strikes against Israel and U.S. interests, while allied militias such as Hezbollah have engaged Israeli forces from Lebanese territory, prompting further bombardments and troop movements.
UN officials underlined that the hostilities have, already affected more than a dozen states, damaging homes, energy infrastructure and essential civilian services.
They repeated calls for maximum restraint, adherence to the laws of war, and an immediate return to serious diplomatic negotiations to prevent further civilian suffering.
As the crisis deepens, the UN also stressed the need for unhindered humanitarian access, protection of children and other vulnerable populations, and accountability for violations of international law.
