March 2026- Amid the rapid expansion of hostilities across the Middle East following ongoing joint United States-Israel strikes on Iran and subsequent Iranian retaliatory attacks across the region, Amnesty International has issued an urgent appeal to all parties involved to safeguard civilians and comply with international humanitarian law. The organization emphasized the need to halt unlawful actions, including deliberate, indiscriminate, or disproportionate attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure.
According to Amnesty International, military operations have now extended to more than 10 countries, leading to substantial civilian casualties and widespread destruction of essential infrastructure. Israel has intensified its strikes on Lebanon over the past 24 hours in response to attacks by Hezbollah. Meanwhile, the United States has indicated that further and more severe actions may follow.
Iran has warned of escalating instability across the region after the reported killing of Iranian Supreme Leader and commander-in-chief Ali Khamenei, signaling the possibility of further intensification of the conflict.
“Civilians should not pay the price for the unlawful and reckless acts by parties to the conflict, ravaging the principles of humanity and distinction at the heart of international humanitarian law and threatening the very foundations of international peace and security. The stakes could not be higher. Across the region, civilians have already endured successive cycles of conflict and mass violations and crimes under international law. Their protection should now be the top priority. Instead, they are facing more senseless killings and repression,” said Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
“Parties to the conflict must immediately refrain from and cease unlawful attacks, whether direct attacks on civilians, indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks, or the use of explosive weapons with wide area effects in densely populated areas. They must take all feasible precautions to prevent civilian harm.
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“As the threat of a protracted international conflict grows, compliance with international human rights law and international humanitarian law is more urgent than ever. Any failure to uphold these obligations will intensify an already devastating human toll and push the region even further towards another humanitarian and human rights catastrophe.”
