Israel-Hamas War Threatens Education and Future of Children in Gaza: 87.7% of Schools Damaged or Destroyed, Save the Children Urges Immediate Ceasefire and Reopening of Crossings
The Israel-Hamas war is severely threatening the long-term potential and opportunities for children in Gaza, according to charity Save the Children.
Schools have been closed since October, affecting 625,000 students, and every university in the Strip has been destroyed by relentless airstrikes.
Parents, like displaced father Ahmad from Rafah, are focused on keeping their children alive but are aware that even if they survive the immediate threats, their education and development will be negatively impacted.
In March, a report revealed that around 87.7% of schools in Gaza had been damaged or destroyed.
This included 212 buildings that were directly hit and 282 with various degrees of damage.
Due to access challenges, particularly in North Gaza, the Education Cluster conducted a satellite assessment to confirm the condition of educational facilities.
Attacks on schools violate International Humanitarian Law, and prolonged school absences can lead to learning regression, according to Save the Children.
Children's absence from school due to prolonged breaks, such as those caused by war, increases the risk of negative consequences for their economic prospects, mental and physical health, and safety.
Children in Gaza have expressed a strong desire to return to school as a means of restoring normalcy and continuing their education and social development.
However, they face challenges such as instability, lack of opportunity to learn, and potential risks of violence and abuse.
Save the Children emphasizes the importance of children having protective factors like a stable routine, opportunity to learn, and family to mitigate against the risk of lasting mental harm.
A father in Gaza named Maher shared his child's desire for a healthy lifestyle, returning to school, and playing, amidst the ongoing conflict.
Save the Children has appealed for an immediate and complete ceasefire and an end to the siege on Gaza.
They also demand the reopening of all crossings for the free flow of commercial and humanitarian goods, and for the Israeli government to halt unlawful attacks on schools and fully implement the Safe Schools Declaration.