Sonny Bill posts graphic refugee pics

Star athlete Sonny Bill Williams has created an online stir by tweeting graphic images of dead children following his visit to Syrian refugee camps in Lebanon.

The photos depict two children lying dead with horrific injuries.

"What did these children do to deserve this?" the caption reads.

"This summer share a thought for the innocent lives lost everyday in war."

The high-profile All Black travelled to camps in the Bekaa Valley earlier this month as a Unicef ambassador.

The images drew a critical reaction from some of Williams' Twitter followers.

"Although I sympathise w ur reasons for posting this, it's not wise. It can be a trigger for some pple. Also young followers," one said.

"Too late if they've already seen these pictures. He should at least have included a trigger warning," agreed another.

"Insensitive. He's a rugbyplayer w young followers who follow him because he's their sports hero, not for politics," tweeted a third.

Some however, were supportive.

"It is a ferocious reality. Good on him for sharing. People can un-follow," said MF.

Williams has also spoken about his visit to the camps on YouTube.