The UN human rights chief said that he is “deeply worried” about the rising risk of wider conflict in the Middle East, and called for an urgent de-escalation, Anadolu Agency reports.

“I am deeply worried about the rising risk of a wider conflict in the Middle East and plead with all parties, along with those States with influence, to act urgently to de-escalate what has become a very precarious situation,” Volker Turk said in a statement.

Turk reminded parties that human rights and the protection of civilians must be the top priority.

Stressing that civilians – mostly women and children – have already endured “unbearable pain and suffering” as result of the bombs and guns over the past 10 months, he said: “Everything, and I mean everything, must be done to avoid this situation spiraling further into an abyss that will only have even more terrible consequences for civilians.”