The UN High Representative for Human Rights today said he was “deeply concerned” by the growing risk of a wider conflict in the Middle East and called for an urgent de-escalation.
“I am deeply concerned about the growing risk of a wider conflict in the Middle East and ask all parties, together with those states of influence, to act urgently to de-escalate a situation that has become very uncertain,” said Volker Turk.
Turk reminded the parties that human rights and protection of civilians must be a top priority.
Noting that civilians, mostly women and children, have already suffered “unbearable pain and suffering” as a result of the bombing over the past 10 months, Turk added: “Everything must be done to avoid this situation spiraling further into an abyss that will only get more terrifying consequences for civilians.”
Tensions in the region further escalated after Hamas political chief Haniyeh was killed in Tehran on Wednesday. While Hamas and Iran have blamed Israel for the killing, Tel Aviv has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement.
The assassination came a day after Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukr was killed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburbs of Beirut.
