UNICEF says half a million children in Lebanon unable to attend school amid Israeli bombardment

By Muhammet Ikbal Arslan and Aysu Bicer

GENEVA (AA) - UNICEF on Friday reported that the number of children unable to attend school in Lebanon has reached a staggering 500,000, as the country continues to grapple with the devastating impact of conflict and socioeconomic challenges.

During the UN Office’s weekly press briefing in Geneva, Ettie Higgins, UNICEF’s deputy representative in Lebanon, provided a grim update on the situation.

Higgins highlighted the significant toll that Israel's ongoing attacks on Lebanon are taking on people, particularly children, who are enduring severe trauma and hardship.

According to UNICEF’s latest report, children in Lebanon, particularly in areas like Baalbek and the Bekaa Valley, continue to endure immense suffering despite the ceasefire.

These densely populated regions have been repeatedly targeted by Israeli airstrikes, leaving children vulnerable not only to physical harm but also to a lack of food.

"More than half of children under the age of 2 in the eastern regions of Lebanon are experiencing severe food insecurity. This is more than double compared to a year ago," said Higgins, underscoring the worsening conditions in the country.

The humanitarian crisis in Lebanon has been further compounded by economic instability, teacher strikes, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, all of which have weakened the already fragile education system.

Despite the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire being declared in November, school attendance remains low. According to the UNICEF report, over 25% of children were still out of school last month.