Lebanese Children Suffer Trauma from Ongoing Conflict with Israel

Lebanon’s Children Suffering from Trauma as Conflict Continues

A four-year-old girl, Malaika, was injured in an Israeli airstrike on March 2 while in her home in southern Lebanon. Her mother attempted to flee with the children, but she was killed in the strike. Malaika suffered burns and eye damage, while her sister, Sara, was also wounded.

The conflict escalated after Hezbollah responded to the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28. Israel has since launched attacks that have resulted in the deaths of at least 3,613 people in Lebanon, including 245 children, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.

Experts warn that children are bearing a disproportionate burden of the conflict, experiencing repeated displacement, disruption to education, and psychological distress. Elissar Gemayel, response director for World Vision Lebanon, stated that “children continue to bear a disproportionate burden of the conflict.”

Since March 2, at least 900 children have been wounded by Israeli attacks. A ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump on April 17 has not stopped Israel’s attacks, with at least 40 children killed or maimed since then.

The conflict has displaced over 1.2 million people in Lebanon, including around 400,000 children. Many are living in temporary accommodations, such as apartments and schools turned shelters, while others reside in tents.

Experts emphasize the importance of a strong community for children to recover from trauma. However, finding stability is challenging due to ongoing attacks by Israel. Children in Lebanon had already experienced educational disruptions prior to the conflict, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Beirut port explosion, and the country’s economic collapse.

Organizations such as Save the Children and War Child are calling for a permanent ceasefire in Lebanon. Nora Ingdal, Save the Children Lebanon’s country director, stated that children need stability to “start recovering and return to school.”

Source: Al Jazeera