Heavy Israeli strikes hit ​towns and villages in southern Lebanon overnight on Wednesday ​and into Thursday, after Israel declared a new swathe ⁠of the area a combat zone.

It also struck a building ​in the southern suburbs of Beirut on Thursday.

A total of 77 ​children have been killed or injured in the last seven days, UNICEF said, citing figures provided by Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health.

Since the ceasefire ​began on April 16, 55 children have been killed and ​212 injured, according to the agency.

UNICEF spokesperson Ricardo Pires called for all parties ‌to ⁠fully respect the ceasefire.

“Under international humanitarian law, children and civilian infrastructure must be protected,” he said.

The ceasefire announced by Washington was meant to halt the fighting that has raged between Israeli ​troops and Iran-backed Hezbollah ​since March 2.

The ⁠UN’s World Health Organisation also said on Friday that the threat from the expansion of military ​activities raised grave health concerns for the Lebanese ​population.

Since the ⁠ceasefire took effect, a total of 27 attacks on healthcare facilities in Lebanon have been reported, resulting in 25 deaths and 42 ⁠injuries, ​according to the WHO.

A total ​of 16 hospitals and 13 primary healthcare centres have been damaged in attacks, it ​added.