Khan Unis, Gaza Strip (AP) – Two years ago, the whole law was a Star High School student who was preparing for the final examination and dreaming of becoming a doctor. Today, 18 -year -old Gaza lives in a swinging tent in the strip and says she is just trying to survive.
He is part of a generation of Palestinians from grade school through the university, which had no access to education almost in this field. war Started in October 2023. Classes were suspended that month and schools were converted into crowded shelters as Hamas’s October 7, 2023, after the attack, hundreds of thousands of people ran away from their homes at the beginning of Israel’s expedition after the attack.
The closure of schools has removed a major social outlet for young people as they struggle with war, hunger and displacement. For young children, it means missing from basic skills such as reading and simple arithmetic. For older students, advanced subjects, graduate exams and college applications are all kept under hold.
Even if the conversation Lead to another ceasefireIt is not clear When anything will be made again in GazaThe vast areas have been completely destroyed, and the United Nations children’s agency estimates that about 90% of schools will require adequate reconstruction before re -functioning.
Like many in GazaThe family of the law has been displaced several times and is now living in a tent. When an Israeli air strike destroyed his house in early 2024, he dug through debris in search of his books, but “nothing left.”
“My only dream was to study therapy,” the law said. “I stopped thinking about it. All my thoughts are now about to survive.”
Hundreds of thousands out of school
According to UNICEF, the UN children’s agency, more than 650,000 students have not received any access to education since the onset of the war. It consists of around 40,000 students who were unable to take the university entrance exams which largely determine their career prospects.
This is the first time in decades that the examination was not administered in Gaza.
Israel’s bombing and ground operations have killed thousands of Palestinians and displaced 90% of Gaza population. School-age children in crowded shelters and tent camps are often forced to help their families find food, water and firewood. In the beginning of March, a complete Israeli blockade that was slightly reduced after only 2 1/2 months, has operated the region. On the verge of famine,
Hundreds of teaching places to provide and provide education during the war, working with local education authorities, UNICEF and other support groups.
“What we can do about the educational process, so that we can’t slip through our fingers the next generation,” said Mohammad Al-Asauli, head of the Department of Education in the southern city of Khan Younis.
According to UNICEF, during the six -week ceasefire in January and February, some 600 learning places provided lessons for about 173,000 children. But since March, when Israel finished the Trus With a surprise bombingAbout half is closed.
“The impact is beyond the disadvantage of learning,” said Rosalia Boln, a spokesman of UNICEF. “Children in Gaza are not only exposed to unprecedented violence in a cycle, but also a cycle of fear, toxic tension, also of anxiety.”
‘Two years of my life have gone’
Some have tried to continue their studies through online learning, but it is not easy in Gaza, where there is no central electricity since the war started. Palestinians should use solar panels or hard-to-found generators to charge their phone, and the Internet is incredible.
“The mobile phone is not always charged, and we have only one at home,” said Nesma Zuaraob, mother of four school -aged children. He said that his youngest son should be in second grade, but does not know how to read or write.
“The future of the children is ruined,” he said.
Ola Shaban tried to continue studying on online civil engineering through his university after Israeli forces destroyed the campus in April 2024. He had to travel a long distance to receive a signal in his hometown near Khan Younis, and he eventually gave up.
“I could not continue due to lack of internet, continuous displacement and constant feeling of fear,” he said. “Two years of my life have gone.”
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 57,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel’s aggressive. The Ministry, which is part of the Hamas-Interested Government, does not distinguish between fighters and citizens, but says that more than half of the dead are women and children. Its figures are used by the United Nations and other international organizations as the most reliable figures on war casualties.
Hamas -led militants killed some 1,200 people and kidnapped 251 in the October 7 attack. They are still catching 50 hostages, considered less than half, most of the rest of the ceasefire deals or other agreements were issued.
Ibrahim, the father of a local journalist, said that his family did everything that could do everything to support Sara’s ambition, only to see that when the war broke out, it goes up in smoke.
“War shocked us and turned our lives upside down,” said the father of six. “Our dreams and hopes were buried in the rubble of our house.”
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Maggi reported from Cairo.
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Sammy Maggi and Abdel-Carem Hana, Associated Press
