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83 Children Killed in Lebanon Hostilities, UNICEF Reports Staggering Toll

UNICEF has decried the staggering rise in child casualties amid intensifying hostilities in Lebanon, reporting at least 83 children killed and 254 injured since early March. The agency's regional director highlighted an average of over 10 children killed daily in the past week, with mass displacement forcing nearly 200,000 children from their homes. The statement urgently calls on all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure under international law. This escalation occurs within broader regional tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel following recent military strikes.

Key Points: UNICEF: 83 Children Killed in Escalating Lebanon Conflict

  • 83 children killed since March 2
  • 254 children injured in same period
  • 10+ children killed daily on average
  • Nearly 700,000 people displaced
  • UNICEF calls for de-escalation
3 min read

83 children killed, 254 injured amid escalating hostilities in Lebanon: UNICEF

UNICEF reports 83 children killed, 254 injured in Lebanon amid regional escalation. Over 10 children killed daily last week, sparking urgent protection calls.

"Children are being killed and injured at a horrifying rate - Edouard Beigbeder"

Amman, March 10

UNICEF on Monday decried the rise in child casualties amid rising hostilities in Lebanon and called on all parties to protect civilians and infrastructure. It urged immediate efforts to de-escalate the situation and prevent further harm to children.

The statement by UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Edouard Beigbeder, highlighted how the continuous escalation of hostilities in Lebanon and the devastating toll it is taking on children are gravely concerning.

"According to the latest reports, at least 83 children have been killed and 254 wounded since 2 March, as hostilities have intensified. On average, more than 10 children have been killed every day across Lebanon over the past week, with approximately 36 children injured each day."

It added, "In the last 28 months, 329 children have reportedly been killed in Lebanon and 1,632 were injured. In just the last six days, the number of children killed has increased by 25 per cent, with a devastating figure of 412 children killed."

Calling the figures staggering, Beigbeder said in the statement that they are a stark testament to the toll that conflict is taking on children.

"As military strikes continue across the country, children are being killed and injured at a horrifying rate, families are fleeing their homes in fear, and thousands of children are now sleeping in cold and overcrowded shelters. 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."

Beigbeder concluded the statement by calling upon all parties to protect civilian and civilian infrastructure and gave a call to de-escalate the situation.

"UNICEF calls on all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, including schools and shelters, and to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law. UNICEF urges immediate efforts to de-escalate the situation and prevent further harm to children."

The statement by UNICEF comes amid heightened tensions in West Asia as military operations and retaliatory actions involving Iran, the United States and Israel continue to escalate across the region, following the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader, 86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint military strikes by the US and Israel on February 28.

The strikes also killed several senior leaders of the Islamic Republic.

In retaliation, Tehran launched counter-strikes targeting American military bases in multiple Arab countries and Israeli assets across the region. Israel, along with the US, continued its strikes on Tehran, with Tel Aviv widening the conflict to Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah and Iranian-backed militant groups.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
While the loss of any child is tragic, we must also look at the root cause. The article mentions Hezbollah and Iranian-backed groups in Lebanon. When non-state actors operate from civilian areas, it inevitably puts children at risk. All parties, especially these militant groups, must be held accountable.
A
Arjun K
This is why India's foreign policy of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (the world is one family) and strategic autonomy is so important. We should offer humanitarian aid and use our diplomatic channels to call for peace, without getting drawn into these distant conflicts. Our focus must remain on our own stability and development.
S
Sarah B
The numbers are staggering. More than 10 children killed every day on average? This is a complete failure of the international community. Where is the UN Security Council? Why is there no ceasefire? This cannot be the new normal.
V
Vikram M
It's a grim reminder of how proxy wars devastate ordinary people. Lebanon has suffered for decades. The regional powers and global players fighting their battles there need to understand the human cost. Innocent Lebanese children are paying the price for geopolitics they have nothing to do with.
K
Kavya N
Respectfully, while UNICEF's statement is necessary, it often feels like a ritual. They "decry" and "call upon" but who listens? The powerful nations involved have their own agendas. We need more than statements; we need enforceable mechanisms to protect children in conflict zones. The current system is broken.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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