What's happened
Four weeks into a US-brokered ceasefire, Gaza's UN schools are reopening as children return to classes despite ongoing Israeli bombardment and aid restrictions. Over 300,000 students face disrupted education, with many using makeshift spaces for learning amid severe trauma and damage to infrastructure. The situation remains dire.
What's behind the headline?
The reopening of schools in Gaza highlights both resilience and ongoing hardship. UNRWA's efforts to resume face-to-face and online education serve as vital lifelines, but the damage to over 97% of school buildings and the trauma experienced by children underscore the long-term consequences of the conflict. The use of schools as shelters reflects the collapse of normal life, while the trauma symptoms among children—ranging from severe psychological distress to physical ailments—indicate a generation deeply scarred. The international community’s limited impact on easing restrictions and violence suggests that recovery will be slow and complex. The focus must shift from temporary measures to sustainable support, addressing both physical rebuilding and mental health needs, or Gaza’s future will remain uncertain.
What the papers say
Al Jazeera reports on the reopening of Gaza schools and the ongoing damage to educational infrastructure, emphasizing the resilience of children and families despite severe conditions. The article highlights the efforts of UNRWA to expand educational services and the trauma faced by children, with direct quotes from students and aid officials. Meanwhile, The New Arab provides a detailed account of the initial reopening, illustrating the slow process and the conditions children face, such as sitting on the floor with no desks. Both sources underscore the ongoing crisis, but Al Jazeera offers a broader perspective on the trauma and aid efforts, while The New Arab focuses on the immediate reopening process and community reactions.
How we got here
Since October 2023, Gaza has experienced intense conflict following Hamas attacks and Israeli military responses. The war has devastated infrastructure, displaced thousands, and severely impacted children’s mental health and education. A ceasefire began on October 10, but violence and restrictions persist, hampering recovery efforts.
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The Gaza Strip, or simply Gaza, is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt on the southwest for 11 kilometers and Israel on the east and north along a 51 km border.