Amnesty International has appealed to both Israel and Iran to prioritise the safety of civilians as the conflict between the two countries intensifies, warning of the growing human cost. The call came on Wednesday as casualty figures continued to climb amid ongoing hostilities.

“As the number of deaths and injuries continue to rise, Amnesty International is urging both parties to comply with their obligations and ensure that civilians in both countries do not further pay the price of reckless military action,” said the organisation’s secretary general, Agnes Callamard.

The conflict erupted on Friday following a large-scale unprovoked Israeli bombing campaign, which triggered a barrage of Iranian missile and drone strikes in retaliation. Iranian authorities reported on Sunday that at least 224 people had been killed in Israeli attacks, among them military leaders, nuclear scientists and civilians. No updated casualty figures have been released since. In Israel, at least 24 people have lost their lives, and hundreds more have been injured, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.

Callamard warned that any further escalation risked unleashing devastating consequences not only for the populations of Iran and Israel but for civilians across the broader region. She criticised the United States and other G7 nations for what she described as their failure to fully acknowledge the potential humanitarian disaster unfolding.

“Instead of cheering on one party to the conflict over another, as if civilian suffering is a mere sideshow, states must ensure the protection of civilians,” Callamard said, urging world powers to adopt a more responsible approach.

Israel has defended its unprovoked air assault, saying it was aimed at thwarting Iran’s alleged efforts to develop nuclear weapons—an accusation Tehran firmly denies.