UNICEF says conflict in Lebanon taking a devastating toll on children

Israeli attacks in Lebanon have had a devastating and inhumane toll on children, according to UNICEF spokesperson James Elder, who has been working at hospitals in the south of the country.

Speaking to SBS News, Elder said “the trauma that the children are going through has long-term impacts” that can only start to be addressed with a ceasefire.

“They’ve seen so much death and destruction.”

UNICEF reports that at least 600 children have been either killed or injured in Lebanon since the beginning of March.

Israel has continued strikes across Lebanon despite an ongoing ceasefire and seized a belt of territory at the border where its troops remain, saying it aims to create a “buffer zone” to shield northern Israel from attacks by Hezbollah, which fired hundreds of rockets at Israel during the conflict.

For the latest news, visit https://www.sbs.com.au/news

SBS News is Australia’s trusted news source for the latest news from Australia and across the world.

Subscribe to the SBS News YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SBSNews
Follow SBS News on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbsnews_au
Follow SBS News on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sbsnews_au
Follow SBS News on X: https://www.twitter.com/SBSNews
Follow SBS News on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sbsnews
Apple News: <a href="https://trib.al/MTx0gUe" target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow”>https://trib.al/MTx0gUe

For the latest news, visit www.sbs.com.au/news

Network Terms & Conditions: https://sbs.com.au/terms
Privacy Policy: https://sbs.com.au/privacy
Feedback or complaints: https://sbs.com.au/complaints