The escalating violence in Lebanon has created a devastating “new normal” for children, warns UNICEF. James Elder, the agency’s spokesperson, described the worsening conditions as a silent normalization of horror, with three children killed daily over the past two months, countless others injured, and many more deeply traumatized.
Disproportionate attacks have destroyed vital infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes. Families are left in shelters that offer no real safety, further exacerbating the suffering of children.
Devastation Across Southern Lebanon
UNIFIL reports increasing violence near its positions along the Blue Line, separating Lebanon and Israel. Andrea Tenenti, spokesperson for the UN mission, highlighted the destruction of entire villages like Kfar Kila and Maroun al-Ras, describing the damage as “huge and shocking.” Israeli airstrikes and ground incursions, coupled with Hezbollah’s missile and drone attacks, have left southern Lebanon in ruins, with nearly 900,000 people displaced nationwide, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The Toll on Healthcare and Basic Services
Children are particularly affected by the destruction of medical facilities and the lack of essential services. WHO reported dire conditions at Gaza’s Kamal Adwan hospital, underscoring a regional health crisis with limited medical supplies, food, and water. The hospital struggles with staff shortages, and multiple aid missions have been blocked. These obstacles mirror the broader challenges faced by children in conflict zones, including Lebanon, where their basic rights to safety, education, and healthcare are severely undermined.
An Urgent Call for Action
Elder emphasized that the psychological toll on children is immense, with the “cries of children going unheard” as violence becomes normalized. He called for urgent international intervention to protect children and prevent further harm.
As southern Lebanon faces deepening violence and destruction, UN agencies, including UNICEF, stress the critical need for immediate measures to safeguard children’s lives and futures, urging world leaders to act before this “horrific new normal” becomes irreversible.
