The Israeli military’s assault on the Gaza Strip has devastated schools and students, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Education.
The ministry said that 3714 Palestinian students have been killed and 5700 injured since the start of the conflict on October 7. Of those killed, 3679 were in Gaza.
The ministry also said that 209 teachers and administrators have been killed and 619 injured in Gaza, while two have been injured and more than 65 have been arrested in the West Bank.
In addition, 278 government schools and 65 UNRWA schools have been damaged or destroyed in Gaza, with 83 suffering severe damage and seven completely destroyed. Thirty-eight schools in the West Bank have also been raided and damaged.
Meanwhile, the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said that people in Gaza are so hungry that they are stopping UNRWA aid trucks in the streets. He said that it is becoming increasingly difficult to deliver aid to people in UNRWA shelters because of the crowds outside.
“Hunger has emerged in the last few weeks, and we are meeting more and more people who have not eaten for a day, two days, three days,” Lazzarini said.
The Israeli military has said that it is targeting Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza, but the attacks have also killed and injured civilians, including children.The United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, but the fighting continues.