Gaza City: The Ministry of Education and Higher Education has reported that 12,329 Palestinian students have been killed and 20,160 injured following Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank since October 7, 2023.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA, the Ministry detailed that in the Gaza Strip alone, over 13,054 students have lost their lives, while 21,320 have been wounded. In contrast, the West Bank has witnessed the deaths of 123 students, with 671 injured and 560 arrested, highlighting the severe impact of the ongoing conflict on the youth in these regions.
The Ministry further stated that in addition to the student casualties, 657 teachers and administrators have been killed and 3,904 injured across both territories. The West Bank has also seen the detention of more than 165 education personnel.
Educational infrastructure has not been spared, with 324 schools, universities, and their buildings in the Gaza Strip, including 65 affiliated with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), bombed and vandalized. Of these, 128 were completely destroyed and 57 partially damaged. The West Bank has experienced similar devastation, with 109 schools and 7 universities stormed and vandalized.
The Ministry of Education expressed concern that 788,000 students in the Gaza Strip remain unable to attend their educational institutions due to the conflict. Many students are also experiencing psychological trauma and challenging health conditions. The Ministry highlighted that repeated raids in the Jenin and Tulkarm governorates have instilled fear among students in their schools, exacerbating the already tense atmosphere.