MINAB, IRAN — In a scene of profound grief, the city of Minab began the somber task of burying 165 elementary schoolgirls killed in a weekend airstrike that has drawn international condemnation. The victims, students at the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls' school, were killed on February 28, 2026, during a wave of joint Israeli and United States military operations across Iran.
A Community in Mourning
Local reports describe a harrowing scene at the burial sites, where hundreds of family members and neighbors gathered amidst a landscape of small, freshly dug graves. Many parents were seen clutching bloodstained backpacks and schoolbooks—the only remnants of their children’s lives.
The humanitarian toll of the strike has overwhelmed local infrastructure:
Identification Challenges: Due to the severity of the munitions used, dozens of victims were reportedly rendered unrecognizable. Forensic teams have been deployed to collect samples for DNA testing to provide families with the closure of a positive identification.
Morgue Crisis: The sheer number of casualties forced officials to utilize refrigerated trucks to store bodies as the city's morgues reached capacity within hours of the attack.
Ongoing Rescue: While the official search for survivors concluded on March 1, recovery teams continue to sift through the rubble for remaining fragments of the building and personal effects.
International Outcry and Military Context
The strike has sparked a "grave violation of humanitarian law" according to UNESCO. Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai stated she was "heartbroken and appalled," emphasizing that "every child deserves to live and learn in peace."
The U.S. and Israel have stated that their operations target military infrastructure, including an IRGC naval base located approximately 600 meters from the school. However, Iranian officials and human rights monitors, including Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, argue that the proximity of military targets does not justify the destruction of a civilian educational facility.
"Children, little girls… at the beginning of the school day being killed in this manner—this is absolutely horrific," said UN human rights spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani.
Current Casualties at a Glance
| Metric | Status/Count |
| Confirmed Deaths | 165 (reported by local prosecutor) |
| Injured | 95+ students and staff |
| School Enrollment | ~170 students |
| Forensic Status | DNA testing underway for unidentified remains |
The UN Security Council is under increasing pressure to investigate the incident as a potential war crime, while nationwide internet disruptions in Iran continue to hamper the flow of independent verification.
