The United Nations has called on all parties in the escalating Israel-Iran conflict to protect civilians, amid mounting displacement and growing humanitarian needs triggered by Israeli and U.S. air raids on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory strikes.
UN human rights office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani described the devastation after a reported strike on Saturday that allegedly killed and injured dozens of girls at a primary school in Minab, southern Iran, as pupils were arriving for classes.
“This is absolutely horrific… if there is any image that captures the essence of the destruction, despair, and senselessness of this conflict, those are the images,” Shamdasani said, recalling blood-stained schoolbags left behind.
Ripple Effects Across the Region
Shamdasani highlighted that at least 12 other countries have felt the consequences of the hostilities, with homes, businesses, airports, and energy facilities damaged.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed shock at the civilian toll and called for a “prompt, impartial and thorough investigation” into the Minab incident.
“The onus is on the forces that carried out the attack to investigate it. We call on them to make public the findings and ensure accountability and redress for the victims,” Türk said.
The UN reiterated that attacks targeting civilians or civilian sites, and indiscriminate strikes, constitute “serious violations of international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes.”
Shamdasani also voiced concern over intensified crackdowns inside Iran, urging authorities to protect fundamental freedoms amid reports of threats against dissenters and a nationwide internet shutdown restricting information access.
Displacement and Humanitarian Crisis in Lebanon
Meanwhile, Babar Baloch warned of escalating displacement in Lebanon after Hezbollah entered the conflict, triggering Israeli airstrikes.
Heavy displacement has been reported in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and Beirut’s southern suburbs. Israel reportedly issued evacuation notices to residents in over 50 Lebanese villages and carried out widespread air raids. By Monday, nearly 30,000 people had been registered in collective shelters, with many others stranded in vehicles or sleeping in traffic while fleeing toward Beirut.
Israeli troops reportedly moved into southern Lebanon following Hezbollah attacks on northern Israel, raising fears of a broader regional escalation.
Disrupted Trade Routes and Humanitarian Operations
The conflict has also disrupted critical trade routes, affecting humanitarian deliveries. UN World Food Programme regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, Samer Jaber, noted disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, which complicate maritime routes and increase costs for relief operations.
“With seas contested and airspace closing, we’re adapting by using supplier networks in other countries like Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, and Pakistan to support overland corridors,” Jaber said.
The UN has called on all parties to uphold international humanitarian law and ensure safe access for civilians and humanitarian workers amid the rapidly escalating crisis.
