JAKARTA - The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Friday revealed that an average of 11 children were killed or injured every day in Lebanon in the past week, as Israel expanded its attacks across the country.
Citing figures from the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, UNICEF spokesperson Ricardo Pires told reporters in Geneva that a total of 77 children had been killed or injured in the past seven days, with 15 killed and 62 injured.
"UNICEF describes this number of victims as shocking," he said, launching Anadolu (29/5).
"We understand that most of these children were affected by the air raids in southern Lebanon," Pires said.
The latest victims included seven children killed and 30 wounded on Thursday alone, he added.
Pires said child casualties continued despite the ceasefire announced in mid-April, with 55 dead and 212 injured.
UNICEF reiterates its call on all parties to fully respect the ceasefire and abide by international humanitarian law.
"Under international humanitarian law, children and civilian infrastructure must be protected at all times," the spokesperson said.
The agency also called for humanitarian organizations to be granted safe, timely, and unhindered access to all affected areas, particularly in southern Lebanon, to provide life-saving assistance.
Previously, the Lebanese Ministry of Health on Thursday said the number of deaths from Israeli attacks since March 2 had risen to 3,324, with another 10,027 injured, quoted by the Qatar News Agency.
In a statement, the ministry's Emergency Operations Center said the figures reflected the cumulative impact of ongoing hostilities across the country.
Israeli forces continue to carry out operations in southern Lebanon despite a ceasefire agreement that came into effect on April 16 and was extended for a second time on May 15 for an additional 45 days.
The continued violence has prompted warnings about deteriorating security and humanitarian conditions in the region.
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