According to the United Nations children’s agency, at least 83 children have lost their lives and 254 have been injured in Lebanon since 2 March, coinciding with the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.
A statement released on the UNICEF website on Monday revealed, “On average, more than 10 children have been killed every day across Lebanon over the past week, with approximately 36 children injured each day.” The statement added, “In the last 28 months, 329 children have reportedly been killed in Lebanon and 1,632 were injured.”
“These figures are staggering. They are a stark testament to the toll that conflict is taking on children,” the agency remarked. “Mass displacement across Lebanon has forced nearly 700,000 people – including around 200,000 children – from their homes, adding to the tens of thousands already uprooted from previous escalations.”
The organisation urged all involved parties to protect civilians and civilian structures, such as schools and shelters, and to fulfill their commitments under international humanitarian law.
The statement concluded, “UNICEF urges immediate efforts to de-escalate the situation and prevent further harm to children.”
