Ankara: Nearly 800 children have been killed and around 360,000 displaced during almost three years of Israeli attacks on Lebanon, leading to widespread condemnation from Lebanese officials and groups advocating for children's rights.
According to Anadolu Agency, Israeli attacks have continued to claim children's lives, with two children killed and four others injured in a recent airstrike on a house in the town of Kfar Rumman in the southern Nabatieh district. Additionally, three other children were injured in Israeli strikes targeting the town of Arabsalim and the city of Nabatieh.
These attacks occurred despite a framework agreement signed under US sponsorship on June 26, which called for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory in exchange for the deployment of the Lebanese army. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun described the attacks as 'a dangerous escalation' that surpasses previous violations of the cessation-of-hostilities agreement and the framework agreement. He urged the US and the international community to act swiftly to halt these violations and hold Israel accountable.
The Lebanese Health Ministry's latest detailed figures reveal that 259 children were among 4,362 people killed in Israeli attacks since March 2. Additionally, 1,050 children were among 12,378 people injured during the same period.
Lebanese lawmaker Inaya Ezzeddine, chair of the Lebanese parliament's Women and Children Committee, stated that 'nearly 800 children were killed during the two Israeli wars in 2024 and 2026.' She added that many children have suffered severe injuries, requiring multiple surgeries, with some losing limbs or eyes, necessitating years of treatment and specialized psychological support.
Ezzeddine reported that around 360,000 children were displaced during the Israeli wars, out of approximately 1.2 million people forced from their homes. Many children were displaced multiple times as the areas they sought refuge in were also attacked. She emphasized that the impact on children is not limited to physical injuries but includes 'invisible wounds' with long-lasting effects, necessitating long-term psychological and emotional support.
UNICEF has consistently warned about the impact of Israeli attacks on Lebanese children, calling for an end to the violence. In May, the UN agency highlighted that children in Lebanon continue to bear 'the highest price' due to ongoing violence, displacement, and psychological trauma, despite a ceasefire announced on April 17. It urged all parties to protect children, comply with international humanitarian law, and ensure the ceasefire remains in effect.
Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2 have resulted in 4,362 deaths and 12,378 injuries, displacing more than 1 million people, according to Lebanese authorities. Israel continues to occupy areas in southern Lebanon, some held for decades and others seized during the 2023-2024 war, with forces advancing over 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory.