Reports have emerged from Iran alleging that a strike hit the Shajarah Tayyebeh girls' elementary school in the southern city of Minab during joint US and Israeli military operations targeting Iran. The school was reportedly occupied by young pupils at the time. Iranian authorities stated that over 150 people, including children, were killed, and 60 more were injured; these figures are awaiting independent verification.
Verified Visual Evidence
Videos verified by international media show rescue workers excavating collapsed concrete, school bags being retrieved from debris, and scorch marks on remaining walls. The New York Times has verified videos showing the school adjacent to a naval base belonging to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), with a strike reportedly hitting that base.
Iranian Condemnation
Iranian representatives at the United Nations have characterized the strike as a deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure, labeling it a war crime and a crime against humanity.
US and Israeli Response
Neither the United States nor Israel has publicly confirmed hitting the school. The US military's Central Command (Centcom) stated it is aware of reports concerning civilian harm from ongoing military operations, takes them seriously, and is investigating, emphasizing the importance of civilian protection. The command noted a lack of verified facts to reach a firm legal conclusion.
The incident highlights the continuing importance of international law, especially in times of conflict, amid broader discussions about its effectiveness.
International Humanitarian Law and Protected Targets
International humanitarian law (IHL) applies in armed conflicts and is built on foundational principles that guide targeting decisions by armed forces:
Distinction
- Parties to an armed conflict must always distinguish between civilian and military objects. Attacks may only be directed against combatants and military objects.
- Civilians and civilian objects, such as schools, hospitals, and public transport, are protected and may not be directly targeted.
- If there is doubt about a target's nature, it must be presumed civilian.
- Schools are considered protective spaces, and children under 18 also receive special protection.
- However, a civilian object can lose its protected status if it becomes a military objective (e.g., a school used as a military base). There is currently no evidence the Minab school was used for military purposes or intentionally targeted.
Proportionality and Precautions
- IHL recognizes that civilian objects may be affected by attacks on military objectives.
- Incidental harm to civilians and civilian objects is lawful only if it satisfies the test of proportionality and military necessity, and if all feasible precautions were taken to minimize harm.
- If a school near a military target is hit, the strike's legality depends on whether the expected harm to children and the school was excessive compared to the military advantage gained.
- Commanders must also take all feasible precautions to assess the attack's effects on nearby civilians or infrastructure, including weapon choice and attack timing.
The Enduring Relevance of International Law
Despite instances where countries appear to disregard international law, its continued significance is asserted. Legal scholars contend that daily compliance remains the norm in diplomacy, trade, and other international interactions, with violations considered exceptions to an otherwise compliant pattern of behavior.
If the strike on the Minab school is ultimately found to have violated the principles of distinction, proportionality, and military necessity, it would underscore the importance of identifying and condemning breaches, thereby affirming the legal order that most states typically respect.
The incident serves as a reminder of the law's purpose and the necessity of upholding compliance.