Gaza Schools Shut Amid Ongoing Conflict: A Cry for Normalcy

The new school year in Gaza begins amid ongoing conflict with Israel, with schools remaining closed and significant damage reported. Displaced families take refuge in converted shelters, while children face disrupted education and potential exploitation. Efforts to continue learning and a polio vaccination drive persist despite challenging conditions.

The new school year in the Palestinian territories officially began on Monday, but every school in Gaza remains closed due to ongoing conflict. Continuing fighting has led Israel to issue new orders for residents in northern Gaza to evacuate amid fresh rocket attacks.

For 15-year-old Moataz, his first day of 10th grade began not in a classroom but fetching water over a kilometer away. His mother, Umm Zaki, expressed sorrow over the lost sense of normalcy, saying, 'Usually, this would be a day of celebration. Today, we just hope the war ends before we lose any more children.'

According to the Palestinian Education Ministry, 90% of Gaza's schools have been damaged or destroyed in the conflict. The UNRWA, which operates about half of the schools, has converted many into emergency shelters for displaced families.

'The longer children stay out of school, the harder it becomes for them to catch up,' said UNRWA Director of Communications Juliette Touma, emphasizing the risk of a 'lost generation' falling into exploitation. In total, 625,000 students plus another 58,000 new first graders are currently missing classes.

In an effort to address this, UNRWA launched a back-to-learning program in 45 of its shelters, involving activities like games and arts to aid children's mental health. Simultaneously, a polio vaccination drive aims to immunize 640,000 children under 10, following Gaza's first polio case in 25 years.

Reports indicate that Israeli airstrikes recently killed several individuals in central and southern Gaza. The armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad continue to clash with Israeli forces. The war, which escalated in October after a Hamas attack, has resulted in significant casualties and ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire.

(With inputs from agencies.)