By — Newspot Nigeria
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised the alarm over the growing humanitarian consequences of the latest military escalation in the Middle East, warning that millions of children across the region are now exposed to extreme danger.
In a statement issued on Friday, UNICEF described the renewed hostilities as a “dangerous moment” for children, citing reports of airstrikes across Iran and other parts of the region that have placed civilian lives at risk.
The agency said it is deeply concerned by reports that schools have been struck during the fighting. Among the incidents highlighted is an attack on a girls’ school in Minab, located in Hormozgan Province in southern Iran, where scores of students were reportedly killed and many others injured.
UNICEF stressed that targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, including schools, is a violation of international humanitarian law. The agency emphasized that children rely on schools and other essential services not only for education, but also for safety, stability, and survival during times of crisis.
The organization echoed the call by the United Nations Secretary-General for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a rapid de-escalation of tensions. It also urged all parties involved in the conflict to exercise maximum restraint and to fully uphold their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, particularly the protection of civilians.
UNICEF said it is working alongside other United Nations agencies and humanitarian partners to assess the evolving situation and stands ready to scale up assistance to affected children and their families as needed.
The agency warned that without urgent action to halt the violence, children across the Middle East will continue to bear the brunt of a conflict they did not create.
