The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Friday said humanitarian access is urgently needed to reach families and children who are affected by the crisis in Lebanon due to the escalating Israel-Hezbollah fighting.

The UNICEF noted in a statement obtained here that over 900,000 people have fled their homes in Lebanon, many of whom are living in temporary shelters and schools, while nearly 180,000 refugees have crossed the border into Syria.

Thousands of children have been killed and injured in the conflict, it said, adding that countless others are living in extremely precarious conditions which are worsening daily, with limited access to clean water, food, medicine and hygiene supplies.

With fuel supplies dwindling, hospital operations are threatened along with other vital services, it added.

The UNICEF urged world countries and the international community to support the families and children critically need support.

"At present we are unable to reach the majority of them. The protection of women and children in times of war is the responsibility of all parties to a conflict -- children should not be the innocent victims of war," it continued.

In addition, the UNICEF also call upon the conflicting parties to urgently agree to a cessation of hostilities to allow humanitarian agencies to deliver needed supplies.

Violence erupted on July 12 when Lebanon's Hezbollah guerillas kidnapped two Israeli soldiers and killed eight during cross- border attacks.

The international community has stepped up calls for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah to end one-month-old fighting.

Source: Xinhua