Israeli airstrikes targeting alleged Hezbollah members in their homes have killed at least 168 children among more than 2,100 total casualties during six weeks of renewed conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group, according to casualty figures.

Among the child victims was 11-year-old Jawad Younes, killed March 27 when an Israeli strike targeted his uncle's home in Saksakieh village in southern Lebanon. The boy had been playing soccer with cousins before taking his younger brother home minutes before the strike. His uncle, described by family as an interior design engineer, was also killed in the attack along with one of Jawad's cousins.

In a separate incident March 12, 4-year-old Taline Shehab died when missiles struck an apartment building in Aramoun, about 20 kilometers south of Beirut, causing the structure to collapse. Her father, described as a drone operator and video producer who worked with the Lebanese army, was also killed. On March 5, 10-year-old Zeinab al-Jabali was killed in a strike in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley that also wounded her mother and three sisters.

The Israeli military states it targets Hezbollah facilities and militants while taking measures to minimize civilian casualties, saying it follows international law including "principles of distinction, proportionality, and the taking of precautions." The military says it has killed hundreds of Hezbollah operatives but has provided limited evidence supporting this claim. Israel rarely identifies specific targets of its strikes.

Families of killed children have accused Israel of war crimes due to civilian casualties. Under international law, directly targeting civilians is prohibited, though collateral damage when striking military targets may be permissible if proportional to anticipated military gains. Legal experts note difficulty assessing proportionality without knowing specific targets and whether military forces knew children were present.

The current conflict began when Hezbollah fired missiles across the border on March 2, two days after U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran. Israeli casualties include at least two civilians and 13 soldiers, according to Israeli figures. Many Lebanese blame Hezbollah for initiating the conflict, though some families affected by strikes say the devastation has strengthened their support for the group.