Death, displacement and military duties: children plunged into crisis by Middle East war
The US‑Israeli campaign against Iran has turned the Middle East into a battlefield for children, with mass killings, forced displacement and the use of minors as soldiers. Schools, hospitals and homes have been destroyed, leaving millions traumatized and without basic services.
The latest escalation between the United States, Israel and Iran has turned the Middle East into a graveyard for children. More than 340 minors have been killed and thousands injured, according to UNICEF, as bombings and missile strikes hit schools, hospitals and residential areas across Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank. The war has also forced over 1.2 million children to flee their homes, many ending up in makeshift shelters or on the streets.
Massive child casualties and the first‑day tragedy
On the opening day of the conflict, a U.S. missile struck a school in Iran, killing at least 160 children and teachers. This single strike became the deadliest child casualty event of the war. Since then, UN agencies report that more than 340 children have been killed and thousands wounded. In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes on checkpoints have killed at least six civilians, including a girl, on March 29. The Gaza Strip, still reeling from 23 months of bombardment, has seen the death toll of children rise to over 20,000, according to Save the Children.
Forced displacement in Lebanon and the West Bank
Israeli bombing and displacement orders have forced 1.1 million people, including nearly 400,000 children, to leave their homes in Lebanon. About 90% of those displaced live outside formal shelters, sleeping on the streets or in tents. Families like Nidal Ahmed’s—who fled Tyre after an airstrike and later had to leave a hospital‑bound wife behind—now live in improvised camps in Beirut’s nightclub district. Ahmed’s eight‑month‑old daughter, Zahraa, survives on stale flatbread while the family waits for irregular aid deliveries.
In the occupied West Bank, Israeli settlers and security forces have intensified violence. On March 15, police shot dead two young brothers and their parents in Tamoun. The incident highlighted the growing risk to children in the region, with Israeli forces reportedly killing at least three minors since the escalation began.
Children recruited as soldiers in Iran
Human Rights Watch released a report detailing Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) campaign to recruit children as “homeland defending combatants.” The recruitment drive sets the minimum age at 12, with posters depicting boys and girls alongside adult soldiers. An 11‑year‑old Iranian boy was reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike while guarding a checkpoint. The use of minors in combat roles violates international law and constitutes a war crime.
Attacks on schools and loss of education
The U.S. bombing of a primary school in Minab on February 28 killed dozens of 7‑ to 12‑year‑old girls. UNESCO called the strike a “grave violation” of international law. Across the region, 316 medical centers and 763 schools have been damaged or destroyed by U.S.-backed Israeli attacks, according to the Iranian Red Crescent Society. Save the Children estimates that 52 million school‑age children have had their education disrupted, either moving to online learning or losing schooling altogether.
In Lebanon, 364 of 669 collective shelters are public schools, many of which have been repurposed as emergency shelters. In Israel, schools have repeatedly closed, leaving children without a safe learning environment. According to Ahmad Alhendawi of Save the Children, “In every conflict, classrooms are usually the first to close and some of the last places to reopen. Every missed lesson deepens the scars of war.”
The psychological toll on children
Prolonged exposure to violence and instability has lasting effects on brain development and emotional regulation. Children in Iran, despite a near‑total internet blackout, receive satellite TV broadcasts that offer advice on coping with fear and anxiety. In Lebanon and Gaza, the lack of basic services, coupled with the constant threat of bombings, has left many children traumatized. Humanitarian agencies warn that the psychological scars will persist for generations if not addressed.
UNICEF’s representative in Lebanon, Marcoluigi Corsi, cautions that the relentless cycle of bombardment and displacement will embed deep‑seated fear and threaten long‑term emotional harm. Families like Ahmed’s already see their children reacting with panic whenever jets break the sound barrier, illustrating the immediate impact of war on mental health.
While the conflict has not opened a new front in Gaza, it has intensified Israeli military operations, further restricting movement and access to basic services. Crossings into Gaza were shut for days, blocking humanitarian aid and commercial goods, and forcing some schools to close.
In the broader context, the war has highlighted how children are disproportionately affected by adult conflicts. From being used as soldiers in Iran to being caught in crossfire in Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank, the war’s impact on children is profound and enduring.
Efforts to protect children must include restoring schools, ensuring access to medical care, and addressing the psychological trauma that has already taken root. International law protects children as a special category, and any violation—whether through direct killings or the use of child soldiers—constitutes a war crime that demands accountability.
As the conflict continues, the international community faces a moral imperative to safeguard the lives and futures of millions of children who have been thrust into a war that is not theirs.
Why it matters
Children are the most vulnerable victims of war, and their loss of life, education and psychological well‑being has long‑term consequences for entire societies. Protecting them is essential for peace and stability in the Middle East.
Key points
- Over 340 children killed, thousands injured in the US‑Israeli‑Iran conflict
- 1.2 million children displaced across Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank
- Iran’s IRGC recruits minors as soldiers, violating international law
- Schools, hospitals and basic services destroyed, disrupting education for millions
- Psychological trauma from constant bombings and displacement is widespread
- International law mandates protection of children in armed conflict
Frequently asked questions
How many children have been killed in the conflict?
UNICEF reports more than 340 children killed and thousands injured since the war began. In Gaza alone, child fatalities have surpassed 20,000 according to Save the Children.
What is the status of schools in the region?
Across the Middle East, 316 medical centers and 763 schools have been damaged or destroyed. 52 million school‑age children have had their education disrupted, with many forced to rely on online learning or none at all.
Are children being used as soldiers?
Yes. Human Rights Watch documents Iran’s IRGC recruiting children as young as 12 for combat roles, a violation of international law and a war crime.
What humanitarian aid is available?
Aid is irregular and often insufficient. Many displaced families rely on sporadic food deliveries and shared facilities, with limited access to clean water and sanitation.
What can be done to protect children?
International bodies must enforce laws protecting children, restore schools and medical facilities, and provide psychological support for trauma survivors.
