Gaza Children Strive to Reclaim Education Amid Conflict Aftermath

As of November 2025, the aftermath of the recent war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza continues to take a heavy toll on the education of Palestinian children. Over 600,000 students have missed the past two years of schooling, with dozens of educational facilities damaged or turned into shelters for the displaced.

Humanitarian organizations like UNICEF and UNRWA are now working frantically to reopen makeshift schools and get children back into classrooms. However, they face significant obstacles, including a lack of available space and basic supplies like pencils and erasers. Many schools remain occupied by displaced families who have nowhere else to go, while others have been reduced to rubble.

The psychological impact on these children is immense. Traumatized by the constant bombardment, displacement, and disruption to their lives, they have spent their days scavenging for food and water instead of learning and socializing. UN officials warn that without immediate intervention, an entire generation of Gazan youth could be lost, vulnerable to exploitation and radicalization.

Despite the challenges, some efforts are underway to provide education even in the most dire circumstances. Temporary classrooms have been set up in displacement camps and communities, though the lessons are sporadic and the conditions basic. Families desperate to get their children back to school remain hopeful, determined to ensure a brighter future for the next generation.