The organisation called the action a grave breach of international humanitarian law. The attack, which destroyed the school in the city of Minab, reportedly killed around 150 people and injured almost 100 more. Many of the victims are believed to be young pupils.
In a statement posted on social media, UNESCO said it was deeply alarmed by the mounting civilian toll from the strikes, which continued into Sunday. The agency stressed that educational facilities enjoy special protection under international humanitarian law and that “attacks against educational institutions endanger students and teachers and undermine the right to education”.
UNESCO joined a wide array of UN agencies and senior officials, including Secretary‑General António Guterres, in condemning both the joint United States (US)‑Israeli attacks and Iran’s subsequent retaliatory strikes on US interests in several Middle Eastern countries. Guterres warned the UN Security Council that the region was being pushed to the brink of uncontrollable escalation.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate and UN Messenger of Peace Malala Yousafzai also spoke out, saying she was “heartbroken and appalled” by the bombing of the school. In a message shared online, she said: “The killing of civilians, especially children, is unconscionable, and I condemn it unequivocally.” She called for an immediate halt to the violence, warning that justice and accountability must follow.
Malala appealed to all governments to uphold their obligations under international law. “All states and parties must safeguard civilians and protect schools. Every child deserves to live and learn in peace,” she wrote.
The attack has rekindled global concern about the destructive impact of conflict on education systems. Malala, who survived an assassination attempt by the Pakistani Taliban in 2012 for advocating girls’ education, has continued to be a powerful voice calling on the international community to protect learning spaces in times of war.
Human rights and humanitarian agencies have warned that the bombing of the Minab school could constitute a war crime under international law if investigations confirm that the facility was deliberately targeted.
–UN/ChannelAfrica–
