At least 100 million children in countries directly impacted by the escalating violence in the Middle East and wider region face deepening fear, distress and the risk of physical harm and displacement, Save the Children said.
This is the most expansive conflict in the region in decades, impacting at least 15 countries with strikes destroying homes, schools and hospitals in some of the worst-affected countries. Children are at heightened risk of physical and mental harm, exploitation and abuse.
Nearly 200 children have been killed in the first five days, according to official and media reports - the equivalent of more than six classrooms full of children.
Many schools across the wider region have closed due to the conflict, children are being kept inside and not allowed out to play, families are struggling to access healthcare services, and children are struggling to sleep. Prices of certain food items have skyrocketed in some areas.
Families living in the region have spoken of doing everything they can to protect their children, ranging from fleeing homes to seek safety in schools and other buildings to moving in with relatives and friends with basements and more secure areas.
Save the Children staff said people are taping up windows to stop the glass shattering with explosions and playing white noise to help their children sleep.
Ahmad Alhendawi, Save the Children's Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe Regional Director, said children were paying the highest price in the conflict:
"Every war is a war on children, and as always, we are seeing children impacted the most. Children are living in fear, caught in the crossfire of this adult war. We have already seen nearly 200 children killed, and more innocent lives could be lost without immediate action. Children must never be considered as acceptable ‘collateral’. Wars have laws and children must be off limits in every conflict.
