Over 650,000 Gaza children out of school for third consecutive year
UNRWA reports that more than 650,000 children in Gaza remain unable to attend school for the third consecutive year due to widespread infrastructure destruction and ongoing conflict. The UN agency emphasizes that education represents a crucial component of trauma recovery for children affected by prolonged violence.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency has confirmed that over 650,000 children throughout Gaza face a third consecutive year without formal education access due to comprehensive infrastructure damage and persistent conflict conditions. UNRWA officials emphasized that restoring educational opportunities represents not merely academic rehabilitation but essential psychological recovery for children experiencing profound trauma from extended exposure to violence and displacement.
Educational infrastructure destruction
According to UN humanitarian coordination data, approximately 97% of Gaza's educational facilities have sustained either partial or complete destruction during military operations, creating physical barriers to resuming normal academic activities. The extensive damage to school buildings compounds the educational disruption initially caused by COVID-19 closures, creating an unprecedented multi-year interruption to learning for nearly all school-aged children throughout the territory.
Psychological impact and recovery needs
UNRWA external relations director Tamara Alrifai identified children's education and learning resumption as urgent institutional priorities, noting that structured educational environments provide critical stability and normalcy for children processing traumatic experiences. The agency characterized educational reintegration as a fundamental component of comprehensive humanitarian response, addressing both cognitive development and emotional healing requirements simultaneously.
Ceasefire context and reconstruction challenges
The educational crisis persists despite last week's ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas brokered through US diplomatic channels. While the arrangement includes provisions for Gaza reconstruction and establishment of new governance structures, the monumental task of rebuilding educational infrastructure represents one of numerous challenges confronting recovery efforts following extensive damage to civilian systems.
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