BEIRUT, May 13 (Xinhua) -- At least 59 children were reportedly killed or injured in Lebanon over the past week despite a ceasefire agreement, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Wednesday, warning of deepening physical and psychological harm among young survivors.
According to Lebanon's Health Ministry, at least 23 children have been killed and 93 injured since the ceasefire took effect at midnight between April 16 and 17, bringing 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 Lebanon's 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 UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa Edouard Beigbeder.
Beigbeder added that despite the agreement intended to halt violence, children continue to suffer repeated attacks and trauma that could have lifelong consequences.
UNICEF also warned that more than 770,000 children in Lebanon are experiencing heightened psychological distress due to repeated exposure to violence, displacement, and loss. Symptoms among children and caregivers include fear, anxiety, nightmares, insomnia, and hopelessness. ■
