The Palestinian Education Ministry has announced that Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip and occupied West Bank since October 7 have killed a total of 450 schoolchildren who would have enrolled in high school this year. The ministry’s spokesman, Sadiq al-Khadour, said that while 50,000 students in the West Bank took high school exams, 39,000 in the Gaza Strip were unable to do so due to the ongoing Israeli offensive.
The exams are significant because they send a message that education is a powerful tool for resisting occupation and achieving independence. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa emphasized this during a visit to the southern Hebron region to inspect the high school exams being held there.
The war has had a devastating impact on education in Gaza, with over 10,000 students killed and more than 110 schools and universities completely destroyed. Partial damage has been reported at 321 other educational institutions.
The international community has condemned Israel’s continued brutal offensive on Gaza, which has resulted in over 37,500 Palestinian deaths, most of them women and children, and over 85,900 injuries. The UN Security Council has demanded an immediate cease-fire, but Israel has refused to comply.