At least 59 children were reportedly killed or injured in Lebanon over the past week despite a ceasefire, UNICEF said Wednesday, warning of mounting physical and psychological harm among young survivors.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said 23 children have been killed and 93 injured since the ceasefire took effect at midnight between April 16 and 17. That brings the total number of child casualties since March 2 to 200 killed and 806 injured.
On Wednesday alone, at least 33 people — including women and children — were killed in an escalation of Israeli strikes across southern and central Lebanon, according to the Public Health Emergency Operations Center and local media.
“Children are being killed and injured when they should be returning to classrooms, playing with friends, and recovering from months of fear and upheaval,” said Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF’s regional director for the Middle East and North Africa.
He said children continue to face repeated attacks and trauma despite the agreement intended to halt violence, with consequences that could last a lifetime.
UNICEF said more than 770,000 children in Lebanon are experiencing heightened psychological distress linked to violence, displacement and loss. Reported symptoms among children and caregivers include fear, anxiety, nightmares, insomnia and hopelessness.