The humanitarian situation for children in the Middle East is rapidly deteriorating as the ongoing conflict intensifies, according to a new statement released by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
In its latest assessment, UNICEF said that more than 1,100 children have been reported injured or killed since February 28 amid escalating violence across the region. The agency warned that the number could rise further as hostilities continue and expand.
According to the agency, the casualties include 200 children reportedly killed in Iran, 91 in Lebanon, four in Israel, and one in Kuwait. UNICEF said the intensifying conflict is putting millions of children across the region at severe risk.
Describing the crisis, the UN agency said that ten days into the escalating conflict, the situation is becoming catastrophic for millions of children living across the Middle East.
The agency highlighted that widespread disruption to education has left millions of children out of school, while hundreds of thousands have been displaced by relentless bombardment. Critical civilian infrastructure—including hospitals, schools, and water and sanitation systems—has been attacked, damaged, or destroyed by parties involved in the conflict.
“Nothing justifies the killing and maiming of children, or the destruction and disruption of essential services that children depend on,” UNICEF said in its statement.
The organisation also warned that grave violations against children in armed conflict may constitute breaches of international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
UNICEF urged all parties involved to end the fighting and engage in diplomatic negotiations.
The agency also called on warring parties to take all necessary precautions in their choice of weapons and methods of warfare to minimise harm to civilians, including refraining from the use of explosive weapons that disproportionately impact children.
Notably, United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28. Thereafter, Iran launched retaliatory strikes against Israel and U.S. bases and infrastructure in the region.