Hussien, 2, drinking a juice and receiving a toy from youth-run personal initiatives at the Higher Shiite Islamic Council in Hazmieh, sheltering forcibly displaced families, on March 20, 2026. (Credit: Melissa Manouchakian/L'Orient Today)
BEIRUT — An estimated 770,000 children are experiencing "heightened distress from repeated exposure to violence, loss and displacement,” UNICEF said in a statement Thursday.
“Children and caregivers report symptoms linked to traumatic stress and grief, including extreme fear and worry, nightmares, sleeplessness and feelings of hopelessness. Without mental health and psychosocial support in safe and secure settings, these children are at serious risk of developing chronic or lifelong mental health issues,” the statement said.
"Despite an agreed ceasefire on 17 April 2026, at least 59 children have reportedly been killed or injured, at least 23 children have been killed and 93 injured since the ceasefire, according to the ministry of public health, and brings the total to 200 children killed and 806 injured since 2 March, the equivalent of nearly 14 children killed or injured every day," the statement said.
“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.
The health ministry reported Wednesday that 2,896 people have been killed and 8,824 wounded in Lebanon due to Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2.
