Beirut, May 14 (SANA) UNICEF warned that children in Lebanon continue to face mounting risks from ongoing Israeli strikes despite a ceasefire reached last month, with dozens reported killed or injured in recent days.
According to Lebanon’s National News Agency, UNICEF said on Wednesday that at least 59 children were killed or wounded over the past week, including two children who died alongside their mother in a strike targeting their vehicle.
The organization said figures from Lebanon’s Health Ministry showed 23 people killed and 93 injured since the ceasefire took effect on April 17.
Since March 2, Israeli strikes have killed 200 people and injured 806 others, averaging around 14 child casualties per day, UNICEF said.
UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa Edouard Beigbeder said children were being killed and injured “at a time when they should have been returning to school.”
He warned that nearly 770,000 children in Lebanon are experiencing psychological distress, including anxiety, nightmares and depression, amid continued violence and instability.
UNICEF called for urgent investment in mental health and psychosocial support services and urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law and preserve the ceasefire.
The organization said it has expanded support services in Lebanon despite growing humanitarian needs and limited resources.
Lebanon has faced near-daily Israeli strikes since March 2, which have killed 2,896 people and injured 8,824 others, according to the latest figures released by Lebanon’s Health Ministry.
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