\n
<\/p>\n
GENEVA: UN agency chiefs on Saturday demanded an end to impunity for widespread international law violations in the Middle East, as casualties pile up six weeks into the war unleashed by US-Israeli strikes on Iran.<\/p>\n
In a joint statement, the heads of multiple United Nations agencies said they were \u201calarmed by the sustained violations of the rules of war and international humanitarian law\u201d in the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven wars have rules, and these rules must be respected,\u201d the statement from the UN Inter-Agency Standing Committee said.<\/p>\n
The joint statement \u2014 penned by UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher along with the heads of the UN agencies for human rights, health, food, refugees and children among others \u2014 decried the soaring toll since the Middle East war erupted on February 28.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn just the last month across the Middle East, thousands of civilians have been killed and injured. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced, many multiple times,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n
\nDevelopment comes six weeks into war triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\u201cThe numbers continue to rise and essential services are increasingly difficult to access.<\/p>\n
\u201cHealth workers, hospitals and ambulances have been targeted. Schools have been struck. Civilian infrastructure \u2014 including bridges, residential buildings, houses, water facilities and power plants \u2014 has been destroyed,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n
The agency chiefs voiced particular concern about the impact on \u201cwomen and children and others with specific needs\u201d, as well as on global supply chains, \u201cwith food and fuel prices on the rise\u201d.<\/p>\n
At the same time, they highlighted that \u201cour humanitarian colleagues have been caught up in the hostilities\u201d.<\/p>\n
Just since the beginning of this year, they said, \u201c14 aid workers have been killed or injured in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, eight in Iran and five in Lebanon\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an alarming toll.\u201d<\/p>\n
The agency chiefs said they \u201cstrongly condemn all attacks on civilians, including humanitarian and health workers, as well as civilian objects\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe demand that all parties \u2014 whether Member States of the United Nations or armed groups \u2014 respect their legal obligation to protect civilians, including humanitarian personnel, and civilian infrastructure,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll violations must be met with accountability. \u201c<\/p>\n