Eleven children have been ​killed or injured on average every 24 hours in Lebanon ‌over the last week, the UN’s children’s agency said on Friday, as Israel has expanded strikes across the country despite a ceasefire.

Heavy Israeli strikes hit ​towns and villages in southern Lebanon overnight on Wednesday ​and into Thursday, after Israel declared a new swathe ⁠of the area a combat zone. It also struck a building ​in Beirut’s southern suburbs on Thursday.

A total of 77 ​children have been killed or injured in the last seven days, UNICEF said, citing figures provided by Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health. Since the ceasefire ​began on April 16, 55 children have been killed and ​212 injured, according to the agency.

Read More: Israeli airstrikes kill 31, wound 40 in southern Lebanon

UNICEF spokesperson Ricardo Pires called for all parties ‌to ⁠fully respect the ceasefire.

A member of civil defence personnel holds the body of Taleen Saeed, 1.5 years old, killed in an Israeli strike in the village of Srifa, at the Al Kharab mosque in Tyre, Lebanon, April 12, 2026. PHOTO: REUTERS

“Under international humanitarian law, children and civilian infrastructure must be protected,” he said.

The ceasefire announced by Washington was meant to halt the fighting that has raged between Israeli ​troops and Hezbollah ​since March 2.

The ⁠World Health Organisation (WHO) also said on Friday that the threat from the expansion of military ​activities raised grave health concerns for the Lebanese ​population.

Since the ⁠ceasefire took effect, a total of 27 attacks on healthcare facilities in Lebanon have been reported, resulting in 25 deaths and 42 ⁠injuries, ​according to the WHO. A total ​of 16 hospitals and 13 primary healthcare centres have been damaged in attacks, it ​added.

Five more killed on Friday

At least five people were killed on Friday in Israeli airstrikes targeting several towns in southern Lebanon in a brazen violation of the US-mediated ceasefire that has been in effect since April 17, according to Lebanon’s state news agency NNA.

Four people were killed in an Israeli strike on a building in the town of Abbasiyeh near the southern city of Tyre, while another person was killed in a separate airstrike on Deir Qanoun al-Nahr, the news agency reported.

Israeli warplanes also targeted a house in the town of Harayib, leaving several people injured.

Smoke billows following an Israeli strike in Nabatieh, Lebanon May 26, 2026. REUTERS

Israel carried out more airstrikes that hit the towns of Gandouriyeh, Frun, Harayib, and Mansouri in southern Lebanon.

An Israeli drone strike on the town of Majdal Zoun near Tyre also caused injuries, according to NNA.

In Nabatieh province, Israeli warplanes targeted a building in the town of Habboush, destroying the structure.

Throughout the day, a low-flying Israeli drone was spotted over Beirut, Lebanon’s capital.

Another drone strike targeted a motorcycle travelling on the Tyre-Abbasiyeh road, leaving several people injured.

Earlier on Friday, a Lebanese police officer was killed in an Israeli drone strike on the town of Aba in Nabatieh province.

Israel has continued its attacks on Lebanon despite a ceasefire that took effect on April 17 and was extended for 45 days beginning May 17 following indirect talks mediated by the United States.

According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed 3,324 people across the country.

The escalation comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on May 25 that he had instructed the military to intensify operations in Lebanon.

Hezbollah has continued to launch attacks against Israeli forces, saying it is responding to Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement.