Over 100,000 Students Enrol In Gaza Schools As Academic Year Begins

HAMILTON (Canada), Feb 28 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- More than 100,000 students have enrolled in schools across the Gaza Strip since the new academic year began on 23 February, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported, citing the United Nations (UN) on Thursday.

"As of yesterday, more than 100,000 students have enrolled in school following the start of the new academic year on 23 February," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a news conference.

He stated that "to date, 165 public schools have reopened in Gaza. For most students, this will be their first time returning to in-person learning in 16 months."

Palestinian figures show that 85 per cent of schools in Gaza have been rendered inoperable due to the Israeli bombardment.

Gaza’s Media Office said at least 12,800 students, and 800 teachers and administrative staff, have been killed, and 1,166 educational establishments have been destroyed in the war since October 2023, estimating the damage to the education sector at more than US$2 billion.

Dujarric further described the situation across the occupied West Bank as "deeply alarming," and said, "Israeli forces’ operations continued in Jenin, Tulkarm and Tubas, leading to further casualties and displacement, and hindering access to healthcare, water, electricity and other critical services."

Citing the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), he stressed that "international law must be respected and civilians must be protected."

A ceasefire agreement took effect in Gaza on 19 January, halting Israel’s genocidal war, which has killed more than 48,300 Palestinians, most of them women and children, and left the enclave in ruins.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its military campaign.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU