Schools and kindergartens destroyed by Israel in Gaza remain in ruins

Construction has yet to begin to repair the schools and kindergartens in the Gaza Strip destroyed by Israeli attacks last July-August.

According to data included in a UN agency report published at the end of last week, major damage to the education sector in Gaza continues to impact on the lives of students and staff.

During Israel’s assault, so-called ‘Operation Protective Edge’, six government and private schools, eleven kindergartens and three higher education institutions were completely destroyed.

In addition, a further 450 education facilities – more than half of them kindergartens – sustained minor, partial, major or severe damage. 83 UNRWA-run schools were also damaged.

Funding has now been secured for all damaged government schools, and 160 have been repaired so far, while minor damage to 74 kindergartens, and the 83 UN schools, has also been repaired

Construction has not yet started, however, on any of the government schools, private schools, and kindergartens that were completely destroyed by Israel’s bombardment.

Between 7 July and 26 August, Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip killed 2,220 Palestinians, some 1,500 of whom were civilians. Half a million people were displaced at the height of hostilities and around 100,000 are still homeless. Public infrastructure suffered heavy damage.