In the early hours of Monday, March 23, 2026, a residential area in Khorramabad, a city in western Iran, was struck during ongoing military attacks, resulting in the deaths of civilians, including two schoolgirls. The incident raises serious concerns about the protection of civilians in Iran, particularly children.
According to available information, Negar Gholipour, a third-grade student, and her sister, Narges Gholipour, a ninth-grade student, were killed when their family home in Iran was hit. The attack reportedly affected a non-military residential area, leading to the deaths of the two sisters alongside members of their family.
The human impact of the incident is profound. The two sisters were students living ordinary lives in Iran, whose futures were abruptly cut short. Their deaths highlight the vulnerability of children in Iran during armed conflict, particularly when even private homes—considered the safest places for civilians—are exposed to violence.
From a legal perspective, the attack raises serious concerns under international humanitarian law. Civilian homes in Iran are protected objects, and children are entitled to special protection. Any strike affecting such areas must comply with the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution.
The killing of these two schoolgirls in Iran underscores the human cost of the ongoing conflict and the urgent need to ensure the protection of civilians across the country.
Khorramabad, Iran – March 2026