Citing the deaths of three aid workers in Tehran and civilians in an apartment block, a fact-finding team ordered by the UN stated on Monday that some of Israel’s strikes on Iran might have violated international humanitarian law, according to Reuters report.
Israel launched surprise airstrikes on Iran on June 13 that resulted in the deaths of numerous Iranian top commanders. Since then, the attacks have increased, causing a flight from the capital. By striking Iran’s underground nuclear sites on Sunday, the United States joined, as per the report.
“Among those killed in Tehran were dozens of residents of an apartment complex and three humanitarian workers from the Iranian Red Cross, while damaged sites included a clinic for children with autism and a hospital in Kermanshah,” according to the investigative body in a statement to journalists, referring to the Israel’s attacks, quoted by Reuters.
“This, and the reported lack of effective advance warning by Israel, which may affect the population’s ability to reach safety, raise serious concerns in relation to the principles of proportionality, distinction, and precaution under international humanitarian law,” as per Reuters.
According to Reuters, millions have already left the capital, according to the mission, and the risks have grown due to inadequate shelters, warning systems, and internet restrictions.
Experts expressed concern about inmates kept close to bombing sites after Israel attacked an infamous jail for political prisoners on Monday.
“The experts call on the Iranian authorities to relocate prisoners away from locations at risk from the airstrikes,” as per Reuters, citing the statement.
It also expressed alarm about allegations of activists, journalists, and social media users being arbitrarily detained by Iranian authorities on suspicion of spying with Israel, a felony that carries a death sentence in Iran, reported by Reuters.