The Islamic University of Gaza has reopened for in-person classes for the first time in two years, as students and faculty navigate a campus devastated by years of conflict. Following the October 2025 ceasefire, approximately 500 displaced families are now sheltering in university buildings that have been reduced to hollow shells due to Israel’s relentless airstrikes and bombardment.

Despite the destruction, students and educators are determined to salvage education amid extreme adversity, a testament to the resilience of Gaza’s youth and academic community.

Campus Turned Into Shelter: A Stark Reality

Tents now dot the university grounds where lecture halls once stood, highlighting the dual crises of displacement and educational collapse in Gaza. Atta Siam, displaced from Jabalia, explained, “We came here because we had nowhere else to go. But this place is for education, not shelter – it’s meant for our children to study.”

UNESCO estimates that over 95% of Gaza’s higher education institutions have been severely damaged or destroyed since the conflict escalated in October 2023. This widespread devastation has left thousands of students without access to quality education for consecutive academic years.

The Toll of Scholasticide

Human rights groups and UN experts have described the systematic destruction of Gaza’s educational infrastructure as “scholasticide”, noting its devastating impact on the Palestinian population. According to the Gaza-based Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, recent figures reveal:

• 494 schools and universities partially or completely destroyed
• 137 institutions reduced to rubble
• 12,800 students, 760 teachers, and 150 academics killed

The destruction of Gaza’s last functioning university, Isra University, in January 2024 underscores the dire state of education in the region.

Overcoming Challenges: Improvised Education Amid Ruins

At the Islamic University, faculty and staff are improvising to ensure learning continues despite severe shortages. Dr. Adel Awadallah described using plastic sheets to cover exposed walls and borrowing generators to maintain electricity for essential equipment. Only four classrooms are currently operational, forcing thousands of students to rely on these temporary solutions.

First-year medical student Youmna Albaba shared her experience: “I dreamed of attending a fully equipped university, but that is not possible here. Still, we have hope because we are building everything from scratch.”

Education as a Form of Resistance

Returning to in-person learning offers students a semblance of normalcy amid ongoing displacement and conflict. Despite challenges such as electricity blackouts, limited internet, and shortages of basic necessities, Gaza’s youth remain committed to their studies, viewing education as a path toward resilience and future opportunities.

UN experts have warned that the systematic destruction of schools may constitute a deliberate attempt to dismantle the foundations of Palestinian society. They stated in April 2024: “When schools are destroyed, so too are hopes and dreams,” highlighting the broader societal consequences of targeting educational infrastructure.

The Humanitarian and Societal Impact

The challenges go beyond the classroom. Families struggling to secure basic necessities such as food, water, and medicine face additional barriers in supporting their children’s education. Remote learning initiatives by the Ministry of Education and UNRWA have been largely ineffective due to power outages, limited internet access, and ongoing displacement.

Nonetheless, students continue to prioritize education, demonstrating resilience and determination to rebuild their lives. As Youmna Albaba reflected, “Despite all this, I am happy because I attend lectures in person. We are building everything from scratch.”