Four Children Killed or Injured per Day During the So-Called Ceasefire in Lebanon

More than four children have been killed or injured every day on average in Lebanon since a temporary ceasefire was reached 25 days ago, and many families are unable to return to their homes. As peace talks resume this week, Save the Children is urging the international community to work toward a permanent ceasefire.^[1]

New data from Lebanon’s Ministry of Health on Tuesday showed that 22 children have been killed and 89 injured following the temporary ceasefire started on April 17. Israeli military strikes have killed 2,900 people, including 189 children, since fighting first escalated in early March.^[2]

Violence and renewed displacement orders have forced more than one million people – one-sixth of the population – from their homes. Many people are now living with relatives, in host communities, or in collective shelters.

The number of families living in collective shelters has increased 5% since the conditional ceasefire due to renewed displacement orders by Israeli forces. There are now 44,800 children among about 125,000 people in collective shelters. ^[3]

Thousands of children have been living in these shelters for over two months in overcrowded conditions with inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene facilities leading to reports of scabies and growing health concerns.

Parents are reporting widespread behavioral changes among children living in collective shelters due to a lack of routine and reduced school engagement including loss of appetite and trouble sleeping. Many children are struggling to continue learning, and some schools are being used as collective shelters. Online learning is difficult to access due to limited electricity and poor connectivity.

Tala*, 10, who has been living in a collective shelter after being displaced from southern Lebanon, said:

“I just want the war to end so I can go home to my village and sleep in my own bed. I really miss school, I want to see my teachers and be with my friends, and study and play again.”

Nora Ingdal, Save the Children’s Lebanon Country Director, said:

“This ‘so called’ ceasefire that still sees more than four children killed or injured every day is not a ceasefire for children. Attacks on civilians have not stopped; They have simply continued under another name. Colleagues have told me that the airstrikes feel more intense in some areas than they ever did before. Children are not safe until there is a permanent and definitive ceasefire with no violations.”

With further peace talks set to take place on Thursday to determine next steps between Lebanon and Israel, Save the Children is calling on the international community to urgently work toward a permanent and definitive ceasefire and ensure flexible and sustained funding to protect children and allow families to return home to resume their lives.

Save the Children has worked in Lebanon since 1953. In collaboration with partners and local authorities, we are distributing essential items in hard-to-reach areas in the south, providing psychosocial support for children, educating families and children about the risks of unexploded ordnance, ensuring access to safe water and sanitation facilities, and distributing essential items for those displaced.

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*Name changed for anonymity

Notes:

[1] Lebanon Ministry of Health - Israeli strikes have killed 380 in Lebanon since truce: Health ministry

[2] Lebanon Ministry of Health

[3] WHO - Lebanon Casualties and Injury Overview

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