Up to 100 children attended the therapeutic performance.

BEIRUT — With the destruction and bloodshed of the month-long Israeli war expected to leave its psychological scars on innocent children, Lebanese artists are coming up with creative ways to help them.

Director Sherif Abdel Nour set the stage for children to vent their anger on the bloody Israeli offensive, which claimed the lives of parents, relatives and friends.

"The theatre therapy helped many children over the past 34 days overcome their ordeals and cope with the new harsh reality," Nour told IslamOnline.net, sitting on the stage of Al-Madina Theater in Beirut's onetime beaming and lively street of Al-Hamra.

He said panicked children had an ample room to speak their minds out and vent their anger and feelings of frustration on stage in front of a large audience of sympathizers.

"They express themselves freely and say whatever they want," said the director.

"Up to 100 children have come to the theatre," he said enthusiastically.

United in Death

"I love death," said five-year-old Maya, whose mother was killed in an Israeli air strike on Beirut's southern suburb.

"She hopes that if she could die to reunite once again with her mother," explains a steadfast and resolved Nour.

Bilal, another child, feels let down by his intimate friends.

"They proved unfaithful," tearful Bilal said. "They deserted me and did not care to know whether I was dead or alive."

Bomb-shocked children go to the theatre early at 10:00 am and start the day with a get-to-know-you session then play whatever they want on stage.

They then tell one another what they love and hate most. Accordingly, Nour singles out vulnerable children for special attention and care.

The third stage is based on narration of some stories that instill courage and confidence into the traumatized children.

They then put their heads together and tell their opinions on the war, which put years on them.

They tackle everything from the heartbreaking scenes unfolding on TV screens to the hoary old clichés of Arab leaders.

Almost half of the estimated 1,150 people killed by Israel are children.

They make up one third of those wounded in the random Israeli bombardment, according to a count by Britain's The Independent, which has launched a fund-raising campaign for Lebanese children in cooperation with Save the Children.