UNRWA: Nearly 90% of Gaza school buildings damaged or destroyed in war

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees has documented catastrophic damage to Gaza's educational infrastructure, with nearly 90% of all school buildings damaged or destroyed during Israel's two-year war on the enclave. In a statement posted Thursday on social media platform X, UNRWA confirmed that most remaining school structures have been converted into emergency shelters for displaced families.

Disrupted Learning, Digital Alternatives

"Across Gaza, nearly 90% of all school buildings have been damaged or destroyed during the war," the agency stated. With physical classroom space decimated, children now receive instruction through temporary learning spaces or digital platforms. UNRWA emphasized that its teams continue to provide educational support despite operating under conditions of widespread devastation.

Ceasefire Context and Continuing Toll

The destruction compounds Gaza's broader humanitarian catastrophe. According to the enclave's Health Ministry, at least 591 Palestinians have been killed and over 1,578 injured in Israeli attacks since the Oct. 10, 2025 ceasefire took effect. The preceding two-year military campaign, which began Oct. 8, 2023, claimed more than 72,000 Palestinian lives and wounded over 171,000—the majority women and children—while destroying approximately 90% of civilian infrastructure. The UN has previously estimated reconstruction costs at $70 billion.