The president of the International Bar Association (IBA) has said that the organisation is “deeply concerned and alarmed” by the recent surge in hostilities in the Middle East.

“As the situation rapidly deteriorates, the IBA calls on all parties to exercise utmost restraint, halt the spiralling violence and adhere to their obligations under international law,” Almudena Arpón de Mendívil Aldama said.

She stated that the escalating violence posed “a grave and imminent threat” to stability in the region and beyond.

‘Urgency’

“Against the backdrop of extreme global tensions, the gravity of the situation in the Middle East cannot be overstated,” the IBA president continued.

“These heightened conflicts have already unleashed a wave of devastation, compounding human suffering and undermining efforts towards global peace and security.

“The moment's urgency demands swift and decisive action to de-escalate tensions, foster dialogue, and adhere to the fundamental principles of international law,” she concluded.