Over 660,000 Children in Gaza Deprived of Access to Education

More than 660,000 children in the Gaza Strip are deprived of the chance to attend school due to the near-total destruction of infrastructure following Israeli bombardments. This was stated by Philip Lazarini, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

“Gaza has become a wreck, as has its educational system. Israeli forces have destroyed or damaged most of Gaza's schools and educational institutions. Today, instead of returning to school like the majority of children around the world, around 660,000 boys and girls in Gaza will walk through the ruins, desperate, hungry, traumatized, and predominantly in mourning,” he wrote on social media platform X.

Lazarini again called for a ceasefire in the region, stating that this is “the only way to end starvation and the destruction of the educational system.” In August, UNRWA reported, citing the UN Satellite Center (UNOSAT), that 97% of Gaza’s school buildings were damaged.

On October 7, 2023, Israel faced an unprecedented mass rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. After this, Hamas militants infiltrated border areas, opening fire on military personnel and civilians, and taking over 200 hostages. According to authorities, around 1,200 people were killed on the Israeli side during this period. In response, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation 'Iron Swords,' which also included strikes on civilian targets, and announced a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip, halting the supply of water, electricity, fuel, food, and medicines.