The UN human rights chief today called for “urgent action” to avoid a “wider” conflict in the Middle East, amid fears of a military conflict between Iran and its allies on one side and Israel on the other.

“I am deeply concerned by the growing risk of a wider conflict in the Middle East and call on all sides, as well as influential states, to act urgently towards a de-escalation,” Volker Türk in a statement.

“Everything, and I mean everything, must be done to prevent a further deterioration of the situation and its slide into an abyss with even more dire consequences for civilians,” he added.

The High Commissioner stressed that “human rights – and above all the protection of civilians – must be the absolute priority”.

“In the last ten months, civilians – mainly women and children – have already suffered pain and unbearable suffering due to the bombings and fire,” he continued.