The UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, reports that despite the ceasefire agreement, at least 59 children were reportedly killed or injured in Lebanon in the past week, drawing attention to the significant toll on children in the country.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says that at least 59 children were reportedly killed or injured in Lebanon over the past week, despite a ceasefire agreed on 17 April 2026.
According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health, at least 23 children have been killed and 93 injured since the ceasefire took effect.
Since 2 March, a total of 200 children have reportedly been killed and 806 injured.
UNICEF said the figures amount to nearly 14 children being killed or injured every day.
The agency called on all parties to protect children, uphold international humanitarian law, and take all necessary measures to ensure the ceasefire holds.
UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Edouard Beigbeder, said children should be “returning to classrooms, playing with friends, and recovering from months of fear and upheaval.”
“Reality, however, is proving to be very different,” he said. “Continued attacks are killing and injuring children, deepening their exposure to trauma and leaving devastating consequences that could last a lifetime.”
UNICEF estimates that 770,000 children are experiencing heightened distress from repeated exposure to violence, loss and displacement.
The agency said children and caregivers have reported symptoms associated with traumatic stress and grief, including fear, nightmares, sleeplessness and hopelessness. It warned that without mental health and psychosocial support, many children risk developing long-term psychological problems.
UNICEF said urgent investment in mental health and psychosocial services is needed to help children recover from the effects of the conflict.
