In a devastating update, the Palestinian Ministry of Education revealed that a staggering 3,714 students have lost their lives in Gaza and the West Bank since the beginning of the Israeli war on the region on October 7.
Among these casualties, 3,679 students tragically perished in Gaza, while an additional 5,429 suffered various injuries due to the conflict. Moreover, 209 teachers lost their lives, and 619 others sustained injuries.
The impact on educational infrastructure has also been severe, with the ministry reporting that 90% of government school buildings in Gaza have suffered direct or indirect damage from airstrikes. Shockingly, 29% of these buildings are beyond repair or have sustained extensive damage, rendering them inoperable.
Furthermore, 133 schools in Gaza are currently being used as shelters for displaced individuals. Regrettably, the education process in the region has come to a complete standstill since the onset of the Israeli war.
In the West Bank, the ministry stated that 35 students have lost their lives, and 271 others have been injured during military operations conducted by Israeli forces since the Gaza war erupted. The toll on Palestinian students and the education system is a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict in the region.
