The Inter-Agency Protection Advocacy Brief: Escalation in the Middle East & Beyond provides a cross-regional protection analysis of the consequences of the escalation of hostilities since 28 February 2026 for populations affected directly or indirectly. Developed by a cross-regional reference group of NGOs and UN agencies, it draws on protection monitoring and analysis from partners working with affected populations. Intended for States, policymakers and advocates, it highlights the most critical emerging or exacerbated protection risks, promotes evidence-based support to specialized operational response, and supports humanitarian diplomacy and advocacy to prevent further harm. While cross-population in scope, it pays particular attention to internally displaced persons, refugees, migrants and returnees, reflecting the central role of internal displacement, refugee movements, migration and return dynamics in shaping protection risks faced by women, girls, men and boys across the region.