Gaza’s children return to ruined classrooms after two years of Israeli war

After two years of Israeli bombardment, famine and a genocide Palestinian children are slowly returning to class in Gaza as Unrwa begins reopening schools under the ceasefire.

Unrwa Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said more than 25,000 pupils have joined the agency’s “temporary learning spaces,” while 300,000 more are expected to resume online lessons. But in places like Al Hassaina school in Nuseirat, the reality remains bleak the AFP reported with classrooms destroyed, no desks or chairs, and traces of families who once sought shelter in the building still visible.

“I’m in sixth grade now, but I lost two years of schooling because of displacement and the war,” said 11-year-old Warda Radwan, speaking to AFP.

On Saturday, young girls stood in the courtyard shouting “Long live Palestine!” before cramming into overcrowded classrooms, sitting on the floor with notebooks on their laps.

Jenin Abu Jarad, a relative of one student, said she was grateful schools had reopened. “Since October 7 [2023], there hasn’t been any school for our children,” she said. “All they could do was fetch water or play in the streets. Thankfully, classes are finally resuming.”