The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) confirmed today, Saturday, that it continues to support Palestinian children with activities aimed at helping them return to learning.
According to a statement by UNRWA, 625,000 children across Gaza have been deprived of education since the onset of the conflict, as schools have been forced to remain closed.
The agency emphasized that while it provides support through these activities, they are not sufficient to fully address the educational needs of Palestinian children.
Since October 7, 2023, Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip have been ongoing.
This escalation began when Hamas, the governing authority in Gaza, initiated the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation, launching thousands of rockets into Israel and carrying out incursions into neighboring Israeli towns.
These attacks resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 Israelis and the capture of around 250 others.
In response, the Israeli offensive on Gaza has led to over 37,000 fatalities and more than 85,000 injuries, the majority of whom are children and women.
Many of the victims reached hospitals, but over 7,000 individuals remain missing, trapped under the rubble caused by continuous bombings throughout the region.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has severely impacted the civilian population in Gaza, particularly children.
Schools, a critical part of daily life and development for children, have been shut down due to the violence, leaving hundreds of thousands without access to education.
This disruption not only affects their immediate learning but also their long-term prospects and mental health.
UNRWA, which has been providing education and other essential services to Palestinian refugees since 1949, faces significant challenges in delivering aid amidst the ongoing conflict.
The agency’s efforts to engage children in educational activities are crucial but fall short of meeting the comprehensive needs caused by the war.