The Palestinian Ministry of Education stated today (Tuesday) that 4,851 students have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the Israeli war on the sector on October 7. The ministry clarified in a statement that the number of injured school students has reached 8,227, while during the same period, 44 students were killed in the West Bank and 287 were injured, with 44 students being arrested, as reported by the “Arab World News Agency.”
The ministry also pointed out that 239 school teachers were killed and 836 were injured in the Gaza Strip.
The ministry explained that 620,000 students in the Gaza Strip have still been unable to go to their schools since October 7, amid the ongoing Israeli war on the sector and the destruction of 351 schools, including 286 government schools and 65 schools belonging to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
The ministry mentioned that 133 of the schools are currently being used as centers for sheltering the displaced.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza post-war is extremely dire, with widespread destruction and a significant impact on the civilian population. According to UN News, the region faces severe food and water shortages, with millions displaced and a high number of casualties, including children and women. The destruction includes tens of thousands of homes, numerous hospitals, and other essential infrastructure. The health system is near collapse, with a significant portion of the hospitals no longer functioning and a sharp increase in infectious diseases reported.
Reuters adds that over 1.7 million people, approximately 75% of Gaza’s population, are estimated to be displaced within the enclave. The health sector is severely affected, with most hospitals out of operation and a dramatic rise in infectious diseases due to the lack of clean water and sanitation. The import restrictions on food, medicine, and fuel have further exacerbated the crisis, severely limiting humanitarian aid and medical supplies.
The UN has called for immediate action to address the basic needs of the civilian population and prevent the crisis from worsening. The international community’s support is crucial to meet the essential needs of the Gazans and to work towards a sustainable resolution to the conflict.
