By George Swarei
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The ongoing Israeli aggression has resulted in the deaths of 8,941 students and the destruction of 353 schools and universities in Gaza, local authorities reported on Tuesday. This escalation has severely disrupted the education system, depriving countless children and young adults of their right to learn.
Since the onset of hostilities, the bombardment of educational institutions has left the academic infrastructure in ruins. According to the Gaza Ministry of Education, the targeted attacks on schools and universities have compounded the humanitarian crisis in the region.
“The scale of the destruction is unprecedented,” said a spokesperson for the Ministry. “Our educational facilities are being systematically dismantled, and the loss of life among students is a tragedy of immense proportions.”
The higher education establishments in Gaza have endured complete destruction by Israeli forces. More than 5,479 students, 261 teachers, and 95 university professors have been killed in Gaza, and over 7,819 students and 756 teachers have been injured, with numbers growing each day as Israel intends to wipe out Palestine’s education and knowledge systems.
The Israeli army has destroyed or damaged all 12 universities in the Gaza Strip through airstrikes or bombs, leaving at least 625,000 students without access to education. This amounts to scholasticide, a systematic destruction and total annihilation of education. Numerous cultural heritage sites, including libraries, archives, and museums, have also been destroyed, damaged, and plundered.
Violation of International Law
The United Nations has condemned the attacks on schools, emphasizing that such actions violate international human rights laws, including the right to education. UNICEF has called for the immediate protection of educational institutions and an end to the violence.
The targeting of civilian objects by Israeli armed forces, particularly those that are historical, educational, or cultural artifacts protected by special laws, is not only a serious breach of international humanitarian law and a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court but falls under the purview of the crime of genocide.
International Reactions
Global reactions have been swift, with numerous international organizations and activists urging for an immediate ceasefire. The hashtags #RightToEducation, #Gaza_under_attack, and #CeasefireNow have trended on social media as part of a broader campaign to draw attention to the crisis.
“The international community must intervene,” said a statement from Human Rights Watch. “The children of Gaza are entitled to safety and education, free from the fear of violence and destruction.”
Ambassador Tamer Almassri
Ambassador Tamer Almassri Palestinian Ambassador to Zimbabwe has called on the international community to send a clear message that those who target schools and universities will be held responsible and that accountability for these violations includes an obligation to finance and rebuild the education system.
Worsening Conditions in the West Bank and East Jerusalem
Scholasticide has also intensified in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, where the Israeli military has often raided educational institutions, arrested or detained students, restricted the movement of students and faculty, and undermined academic freedom by university closures. It is important to note that Palestinians have one of the highest literacy rates (97.7%) and some of the highest numbers of graduates and Ph.D. holders in the world.
Disruption of Tawjihi Exams
The ongoing Israeli military offensive has prevented approximately 39,000 students in the Gaza Strip from sitting for the Tawjihi high school final exams, slated to commence on Saturday. Tawjihi are the final exams in the last year of high school which determine university prospects based on the obtained grades.
Historical Context
The assault on Palestinian educational and cultural institutions did not begin recently. Israel has a long record of targeted attacks on Palestinian institutions that produce knowledge and culture. That history includes targeting and assassinating Palestinian intellectuals, cultural producers, and political figures.
The Path Forward
Efforts to rebuild the damaged schools and provide support to affected students are underway, but the ongoing conflict poses significant challenges. Humanitarian aid agencies are calling for increased funding and resources to address the immediate needs of the education sector in Gaza.
As the violence continues, the toll on Gaza’s youth is expected to rise, with long-term implications for the region’s future. The call for a sustainable ceasefire and the protection of educational rights remains urgent and critical.
For now, the situation in Gaza underscores the dire need for international solidarity and action to safeguard the right to education and ensure the safety of its students.
#RightToEducation
#Gaza_under_attack
#CeasefireNow
#Palestine