War Child and LOST Statement on the Killing of our Student, Zahra'a, and on our Injured Colleague, Ayman

Zahra'a was only 13 years old, a student in War Child’s activities run by our partner, the Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training (LOST). She was a daughter, sister and a student who was learning and looking forward to her future, “She was a little girl whose innocent laughter and dreamy eyes filled the place. She left too soon, but her memory remains in our hearts,” Zahra’a’s Arabic teacher from the programme shares.

On the same day, our colleague, Ayman, who is also a teacher under the programme and a member of our partner LOST, was injured in an airstrike on Baalbek and is being treated by doctors.

Children, civilians and humanitarian workers in Lebanon continue to be targeted as Lebanon faces strikes despite the regional ceasefire.

We demand urgent action from the International Community and third-party states, and for international humanitarian law to be upheld and respected at all times. Such violations must be condemned and those responsible must be held accountable.

Our deepest condolences go to Zahra’a’s family and all other families who have lost loved ones in this war. The protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure during war is non-negotiable, and Lebanon must be included in the regional ceasefire. An end to this violence is long-overdue, children cannot continue to be victims of adult politics and decisions.