Under the guise of military operations, the Israeli army seems intent on systematically destroying Gaza’s education system. Already, 80% of schools have been wiped out in the bombings, and the remaining ones are under constant attack. 

It feels as though the Israeli army is leaving no part of Palestinian life untouched. The targeted violence against education suggests an intention to completely dismantle the Palestinian education system, an act known as ‘scholasticide.’

On October 9, 2023, Grade 5 and 6 students at the Rosary Sister’s School in Gaza were supposed to take their science exam. But they never had the chance, as Israel launched a devastating military assault just two days before. Currently, out of the 625,000 students in Gaza, 60% are either dead, injured, or missing due to the ongoing genocide. The situation is dire, with the future of education in Gaza hanging by a thread.

The loss of Education At This Point is Immeasurable

Before October 7, 2023, more than 6 million students received education in Gaza, with 20,000 teachers actively teaching. Now, that reality has been completely overturned. Schools, universities, and other educational institutions in Gaza remain closed.

Libraries have been left unusable, and a severe oil shortage has led to power outages, making it difficult for students to continue learning. Many people in Gaza fled to Egypt during the war, but they were unable to access educational services there due to a lack of proper documents.

For those who remain in Gaza, local efforts to provide education continue. However, every time they attempt to start teaching in tents or small makeshift spaces, the ceasefire breaks, and bombings resume.

“They’re unable to flee, and they remain in an area that continues to be battered,” said Tess Ingram of UNICEF. “It’s tough to provide them with certain services, such as mental health and psychosocial support or consistent education and learning.”

The situation could worsen if the education system is not restored in Gaza. Israel’s operations risk increasing unemployment, hunger, and long-term challenges for the region.

Israeli Army is Attacking Schools

The Israeli army continues to target the remaining schools in Gaza, even after 80% have already been destroyed. Many people, left homeless by the conflict, have taken refuge in these schools, but they are still under attack. 

The Israeli military justifies these strikes by claiming that some Hamas commanders are using the schools as command centers.

“Israeli forces have repeatedly struck schools, saying Hamas fighters use them as ‘command centers’ to plan attacks,”

stated Gaza’s Health Ministry

In one such attack, over 22 people were killed, including 17 women and children and a 3-month-old baby.

By destroying these schools, the Israeli army is not only demolishing education centers 

but also crushing the hopes and dreams of countless people. The destruction of schools has far-reaching consequences beyond the immediate loss of life and infrastructure. 

These attacks rob children of their right to education and strip entire families of the hope for a better future. Once a place of learning and safety, schools have become symbols of despair and loss.

The ongoing bombardment leaves Gaza’s educational system in ruins, making it nearly impossible for students to resume their studies. 

With no safe spaces left for children to learn and teachers facing the threat of arrest or injury, the future of Gaza’s youth seems increasingly bleak.

The Extinguishing Hope

In September, schools in Gaza reopened, as they do every year. However, with no buildings left, locals gathered children in small tents to continue their education. But even this tiny act of resilience didn’t go unnoticed by the Israeli army, which responded with raids on schools in Gaza and the West Bank.

Teachers and educators were detained during these raids without any explanation or warning. Israeli forces grabbed them and took them away, claiming it was part of their ongoing operations.

“Lessons were disrupted at the school after the Israeli raid,”

a witness told Anadolu.

These raids not only halted education but also crushed any remaining hope for stability. By targeting teachers, the Israeli army is extinguishing the last flickers of hope for Gaza’s children, leaving a future filled with uncertainty.

However, the only remaining hope for the children of Gaza lies in the hands of the UN and other international organizations. Immediate and decisive action is needed to address this crisis.

Education must always be prioritized, regardless of how challenging the current situation is. Denying this fundamental right to the children of Gaza is unacceptable.

“Attacks on education cannot be tolerated. The international community must send a clear message that those who target schools and universities will be held responsible,” said experts, emphasizing that accountability includes the obligation to finance and rebuild the shattered education system.

If international organizations do not intervene now, who will take responsibility for the future of Gaza’s children? The international community must recognize that time is running out for Gaza’s children. 

With immediate intervention, an entire generation can access education, an essential foundation for future stability and peace. Rebuilding the whole education system and building will take a lot of time.

However, restoring hope and dreams and the possibility of a brighter future is still in the hands of the global community, which must come together and react to this crisis. Now is the time for action—before it’s too late.

In a devastating act of betrayal, Israeli military forces declared Khan Yunus al-Mawasi a humanitarian zone, promising civilians a “place of safety”. 

But in a cruel twist, under the cover of darkness, rockets struck the very area where exhausted and relocated families were lying asleep.

At least 37 people were killed, and hundreds more were wounded. Heartbreakingly, entire families were buried alive under the sand, leaving behind nothing but silence and devastation. 

What was meant to be a safe zone turned into a mass grave in an instant, marking yet another night of horror for the people of Gaza.

Dozens are Injured, and Many Remain Unaccounted

As dawn broke over Khan Yunus al-Mawasi, the promise of safety shattered with the sound of explosions. Families had gone to sleep under the belief that this humanitarian zone was free from violence, only to be awakened by the brutal reality of war. 

The Israel Defense Force justified their assault by claiming it had killed two “senior Hamas commanders” in the area. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a “tragedy”.

However, in search to kill Hamas commanders, they have killed innocent and poor Gaza civilians. The strikes were so brutal that entire families were buried under the rubble, and no one knew what had happened to them as desperate searches started in the wreckage.

“We were sitting safely at the door of our house when suddenly we heard the sound of a missile,” witness Fadi Dukhan told Reuters.

According to another witness, Ola Al-Shaer, who moved with her family to al-Mawasi to escape fighting elsewhere in Gaza, says —

“We heard around five or six strikes, one after the other,” she said. “We rushed to help and saw women and children cut to pieces, but there are still people missing.”

The rescue efforts began in complete darkness, as the camp lacked sufficient electricity for lights. Rescuers used flashlights to search through the sand, hoping to find anyone still alive.

When the sun finally rose, it revealed massive craters in the sand, scattered with fragments of tent frames and bits of clothing.

The Whole Families Disappear in the Sand

According to civil defense spokeperson Mahmoud Basal, the people in the camps were not given any warning before the strike. He added they destroyed at least 20 to 40 camps and left three deep craters.

“There are entire families who have disappeared under the sand in the Mawasi Khan Younis massacre,” Basal said.

The most horrifying part of the strike is that people had already fled from one overcrowded area, only to be displaced again to the camps in Khan Yunus.

And just when they thought they had found some measure of safety, they were hit by a barrage of strikes that tore through the camp without warning.

The impact was devastating. It was complete genocide at Khan Yonus that night.

“I was under the sand as well. I got out and started looking for my daughters and my wife. I saw body parts of the neighbours in my tent – I did not know those were our neighbours’ parts until I saw my family in one piece.”

Abu Muammar a survival who lost one of his daughter. 

Furthermore, the rescue teams were working tirelessly, but the lack of proper equipment and shovels to dig through the rubble made their efforts less effective than needed, costing many lives. 

On top of that, the darkness severely limited visibility, hindering the rescue operation.

According to an earlier report, the Israeli defense forces had taken an aerial view of the area to assess the situation and minimize damage. Seizing the opportunity, they launched the strike under the cover of night. 

This deliberate act shows that the attack wasn’t aimed at targeting a Hamas commander but rather seemed to be a calculated move to harm innocent civilians, including children, the elderly, and women.

The World Should Reunite Now

Global outrage is growing as world leaders and high-ranking officials condemn the recent atrocities committed by the Israeli military. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has labeled the actions as “unacceptable,” following the fatal shooting of a U.S. activist during the violence before this genocide. 

He emphasized that such acts of genocide must be stopped immediately, calling for accountability and justice for the victims.

The international community cannot stand by in silence as entire families are wiped out and innocent civilians continue to suffer. The time has come for world leaders to unite and take decisive action. 

The United Nations must urgently call for a ceasefire to halt the ongoing bloodshed and prevent further loss of life. Every second counts as the situation in Gaza spirals out of control, and without global intervention, the devastation will only deepen.

The world needs to act now—for humanity and the survival of the people of Gaza.

Gaza has been under attack by Israel for over 350 days now, and there are no signs of the war coming to an end anytime soon.

The war has been so brutal to the people of Gaza that they are left without food, water, and essential medical care needed for survival.

Beyond lacking these necessities, which are even more devastating, they have no homes to protect them.

The UN reports that 85% of Gaza’s population, totaling 1.9 million civilians, has been forcibly displaced due to Israel’s military operations.

The genocide by Israel has been so ruthless that they are bombing shelters, hospitals, and even areas where people have sought refuge in tents.

Thus, people are forcefully taking shelter on the brink of the sea. The conditions for those living by the water are dire, with their makeshift tents offering little protection from the heat and cold.

The Winter is Approaching in Gaza

The Gaza Strip experiences winters from December to March. With the location on the shore and minimal protection,  this winter is likely to be extremely harsh for the refugees living there.

Currently, during the day, they are building sand walls to protect themselves from high tides and prevent water from entering their tents.

But at night, the sand walls become useless. With the high tides rising after dark, water floods their tents, sweeping away whatever little they managed to save while escaping the war. 

What makes it even more heartbreaking is the rising tides that cause dozens of tents to sink into the sea, leaving families with nowhere to go.

Right now, the people of Gaza have sought refuge on the beaches of Khan Yunus and Bahar Al Wusqa. These areas are notorious for their high tides, making the situation even more dangerous.

“It was the worst night I’ve ever witnessed. The water was so deep last night, with massive waves reaching six meters high. There are still many children in the water.” — A survivor who endured the high tide on Khan Yunus beach.

As the waves flood the tents at night while people sleep, many belongings are swept away by the water, and tragically, it often carries small children with it.

With nowhere else to go, they are left battling the elements, the sea, and the endless uncertainty of what tomorrow might bring. 

What will be even more catastrophic are the upcoming winter months. The bitter cold, combined with the relentless sea breeze, will make survival even harder for those with little to protect them. 

With freezing winds from the sea ahead and death and destruction haunting them from behind in the city, the people of Gaza will face a season that may bring even more suffering than the war itself.

Mothers will struggle to keep their children warm with nothing but thin blankets and broken tents. The elderly, already weak, will find it nearly impossible to endure the biting cold. 

Each night, the temperature will drop, and the fear of not making it through till morning will hang over every family. 

The sea, which has already claimed so much, will become even more dangerous as the harsh winter storms roll in, threatening to wash away what little remains of their shelters.

With no escape, no warmth, and no safety, this winter could be the most brutal test of their resilience yet.

More Struggle Ahead of Stchoring Winters for Gaza Survivals

Winter is nearing, but it’s uncertain if those currently living in tents will survive through it.

The Israeli army is now attacking the very places where people have set up tents. Even refugee shelters are under bombardment. The people of Gaza don’t know where to go anymore.

There’s nowhere in Gaza where people haven’t been forced to take refuge. Conditions have worsened to the point where people are building tents in rubble, saying the area is already destroyed and no one will return here. For now, people are taking shelter in the ruins of broken homes.

The real question is, how are they surviving? After October 7, 2023, the last oil shipment arrived in Gaza, and since then, oil, gas, and other natural resources have been cut off.

Hospitals have no electricity for ventilators, no oxygen cylinders, and no clean water.

Death could come from any direction at any moment. For the people of Gaza, it’s a choice between falling into a pit or drowning in a well.

In the face of such relentless destruction, it is crucial for international bodies like the UN and humanitarian organizations to take immediate action. This is no longer a regional conflict but a full-scale humanitarian crisis that demands urgent attention. 

Now, with Israel extending its aggression toward Lebanon, the situation is spiraling out of control. Lebanon’s involvement in supporting Gaza has only escalated tensions, and there is no telling how far the destruction will spread. 

For the sake of humanity, the global community must intervene now. The UN and international leaders must pressure for an immediate ceasefire and create safe humanitarian corridors to provide food, water, and medical aid. 

It’s time for the world to act, not just watch from the sidelines. This genocide must stop before Gaza is wiped off the map completely. 

Silence is no longer an option—every second counts. Lives are at stake, and the people of Gaza need the world’s help before it’s too late.