Tehran: The UN human rights chief Volker Turk demanded a 'prompt, impartial and thorough investigation into the circumstances' Tuesday into a strike on a school in southern Iran that killed more than 160 girls amid US-Israel attacks. "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 victims," spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said during a weekly media briefing.
According to Anadolu Agency, Shamdasani noted that "the fear, the panic, the anxiety" experienced by people in the Middle East was "entirely avoidable," emphasizing that the situation is worsening by the hour and "playing out our worst fears." She highlighted that UN Human Rights chief Volker Turk is deeply shocked by the impacts of the hostilities on civilians and civilian infrastructure since the conflict began on Saturday with attacks by Israel and the United States on Iran, Iran's retaliatory actions against states in the region, and Hezbollah's subsequent involvement.
She urged all parties to adhere to the laws of war, advocating for the protection of civilians and civilian establishments. Shamdasani emphasized that the High Commissioner calls for maximum restraint, the prevention of further escalation, and taking all feasible measures to protect civilians, including foreign nationals and critical infrastructure. She reiterated that returning to negotiations is the only way to end the violence and destruction.
Shamdasani also stressed that any attack must comply with the fundamental principles of distinction and proportionality under international humanitarian law, reiterating Turk's demand for an end to the violence. She expressed grave concern over the escalation of hostilities in Lebanon following Hezbollah's attacks on Israel and the subsequent heavy counterstrikes by Israel, including in Beirut. She called for an immediate cessation of violence and a return to the agreed ceasefire.
A spokesperson for the World Health Organization (WHO) reaffirmed that no casualties were reported, except for the evacuation of patients after Tehran's Gandhi Hospital was reportedly damaged during the bombardment of the Iranian capital on Sunday. "The National Emergency Medical Organization stated that several hospitals and prehospital emergency posts have been damaged. In addition, one paramedic has been injured. Protection of health is non-negotiable: the protection of civilians, health workers and health facilities is an obligation under international humanitarian law," Tarik Jasarevic said during the briefing.
Jasarevic added that no request for WHO support has been received from Iran, assuring that the UN agency is closely monitoring the situation. He noted that the most immediate public health impact extends beyond new casualties to a regional shock that disrupts care delivery, supply chains, staff safety, and humanitarian access across multiple crises that were already overstretched.