'Grave Violation of Protection Afforded to Schools': UNESCO Decries US-Israel's School Attack

'Attacks against educational institutions endanger students and teachers and undermine the right to education.'

The Wire Staff

'Attacks against educational institutions endanger students and teachers and undermine the right to education.'

grave violation of protection afforded to schools unesco decries us israel s school attack

Rescue workers and residents search through the rubble in the aftermath of an Israeli-U.S. strike on a girls' elementary school in Minab, Iran, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Photo: AP/PTI.

New Delhi: In a statement released on social media, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, has expressed deep alarm at the impact of the US and Israel strikes on Iran. The former two have hit a girls' elementary school in Iran, leading to the death of at least 115 people. US Central Command spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins told Associated Press that he was “aware of reports” that a girls’ school was struck and that officials were looking into them.

The UNESCO noted that pupils in a place dedicated to learning are protected under international humanitarian law, and that “attacks against educational institutions endanger students and teachers and undermine the right to education.”

The full statement is below:

UNESCO is deeply alarmed by the impact of the ongoing military escalation in the Middle East on educational institutions, students, and education personnel.

Initial reports indicate that an attack on a girls' primary school in Minab, southern Iran, has resulted in the deaths of over 100 individuals, including numerous students. The killing of pupils in a place dedicated to learning constitutes a grave violation of the protection afforded to schools under international humanitarian law.

Attacks against educational institutions endanger students and teachers and undermine the right to education. In accordance with its mandate and with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2601 (2021), UNESCO recalls the obligations of all parties to protect schools, students and education personnel.

This article went live on March second, two thousand twenty six, at thirty-four minutes past three in the afternoon.

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