UNICEF and UN child protection experts said Tuesday that Gaza's hunger crisis continues to worsen despite a small increase in aid deliveries to the north, and warned of growing spillover effects into Lebanon. The agency said air strikes and exchanges of fire have pushed the conflict deeper into Lebanon and disrupted humanitarian services.

"Indeed, we're seeing families now. They're sending the entire family out to for begging. They're forcing children as young as 4 to work in agriculture," said Eti Higgins, UNICEF Lebanon deputy head of office. She described seven-year-old children presenting to clinics with back problems from carrying heavy loads of trash daily.

UN agencies reported that, in Lebanon, 344 people have been killed, including eight children, and more than 90,000 people have been displaced in connection with the hostilities. UNICEF said rates of wasting among children were found to be unexpectedly high in informal tented settlements for the displaced. The agency also reported that key water and sanitation infrastructure has been destroyed, leaving roughly 100,000 people without access to clean drinking water, and that 23 health facilities serving approximately 4,000 people have been forced to close.

UNICEF called for an immediate end to hostilities and for urgent financing to address the humanitarian needs; the agency said funding shortfalls are forcing families and children into harmful coping strategies.