Widespread Impact on Education: Over 11,400 Students Martyred and 500 Education Centers Bombed in Gaza and West Bank

Ramallah: The Ministry of Education and Higher Education has revealed staggering statistics illustrating the profound impact of the ongoing conflict on students and educational institutions in Gaza and the West Bank. Since the onset of hostilities on October 7, a total of 11,406 students have been martyred, 18,556 have been injured, and numerous schools and universities have suffered extensive damages due to bombings. According to Maan News Agency, the Ministry's latest report details the grim toll that the conflict has taken on the education sector. In the Gaza Strip alone, 11,292 students have been martyred and 17,965 injured. The West Bank has also seen significant casualties, with 114 students martyred and 591 injured. Additionally, 439 students across both regions have been arrested. The report further highlights the casualties among educational staff, stating that 550 teachers and administrators have been martyred and 3,717 injured. Arrests of educational personnel in the West Bank number over 145. Th e infrastructure of education has also been heavily targeted; 362 government schools and university buildings in Gaza, along with 65 UNRWA schools, have been bombed or vandalized. This has left 124 institutions severely damaged and 62 completely destroyed. In the West Bank, 84 schools and seven universities have been stormed and vandalized. Furthermore, the ongoing conflict has disrupted the education of approximately 718,000 students in Gaza, who remain unable to attend school or university. The Ministry also noted the psychological and health challenges faced by students, exacerbated by the violence and instability. The repeated military raids, particularly in the Jenin and Tulkarm governorates, have instilled fear among students, severely affecting their ability to pursue their education in a safe environment.